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Uttle Maiden’s Victory. 



ALIDA W GI^AVES, 

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AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, 

10 EAST 23(1 STREET, NEW YORK. 



COPYRIGHT, 1896, 

BY AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY. 

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A 


LITTLE MAIDEN^S VICTORY. 


CHAPTER I. 

The May sun shone brightly through the 
wide-open door into the tidy kitchen where 
Ruth Avery was washing the breakfast dishes. 
The air was soft and balmy and full of the 
sweet fragrance of spring. Although the apple- 
blossoms had mostly fallen the ground was car- 
peted with their pink and white petals. 

The birds were singing joyously in the trees 
near the house. Their songs made Ruth’s heart 
wild with delight. She kept flying to the door, 
dish in hand, to listen to and to talk with her 
bird friends ; for this lonely orphan girl, who 
lived with stern old Grandma Avery, had formed 
the habit of making companions of every living 
thing. 

“ Oh, you dear little robin-redbreast, I ’m so 
so glad you have come ! I do believe you are 
the very one that built a nest in that very 
apple-tree last summer. .Now build it again, 
as high up to the sky as you can, so wicked 
boys can’t reach it ; I ’ll help you keep watch 


4 A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTOR V. 

over it, and you and I will be the best of 
friends.” 

The bird looked at her knowingly, as though 
he understood every word, then chirped away 
merrily. 

“ Oh, you saucy little thing, you need not 
cock your head at me that way; but sing on, 
sing on ! I’m so glad you are back from your 
southern trip. But I must finish my work, or 
there ’ll be trouble when grandma comes ; she 
has only gone over to Aunt Peggy’s to see how 
her headache is to-day.” • 

Then there was a clatter of dishes ; but in 
a few moments Ruth was again at the door, 
with a large blue plate in her hand, which she 
was wiping vigorously. 

“ Do you know, dear robin, a lot of us girls 
are going on a picnic this afternoon, out into 
the beautiful woods, to find the hepaticas, the 
adder’s - tongue, and the pretty white wind- 
flower ; oh, wont it be fun !” Then in a lower 
tone, “ I suspect they are going to crown me 
queen of the May ; I know there ’s to be a 
pretty wreath, and I think it is for my head.” 

The robin chirped in sympathy and Ruth’s 
black eyes danced merrily ; her feet danced too, 
back into the kitchen, but by some unfortunate 
movement she tripped, dropping the plate and 
breaking it into a dozen pieces. She was 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 3 

sobered in a moment, ^nd looked down with 
dismay at the result of her carelessness. 

“Grandma’s beautiful Lafayette plate, the 
only one she had, and it belonged to her 
mother ! I ’m so sorry ! Oh dear me, what 
shall I do ! What will she say ?” 

In an instant she dropped upon the floor, a 
heart-broken little heap, as the thought came to 
her, bringing the tears and the sobs, “ No picnic 
for me this afternoon.’’ 

But Ruth was a brave girl, and a girl of 
expedients. In a few moments she was upon 
her feet, drying her tears. She gathered up 
the pieces in her apron. “ I ’ll go and bury 
them back of the wood-house,” she thought, 
“ then perhaps grandma will not miss the plate 
to-day. I ’m going to that picnic whether or 
no ; when she does miss it I ’ll own up, fair 
and square ; any time after to-day.” 

As she started for the door something stopped 
her; the tender, pleading eyes of her mother 
seemed to be watching her, and her sweet voice 
to be saying, “ Would that be right? My dear, 
dear child, do not deceive ; do not act a lie.” 

“ I can’t do it,” she exclaimed aloud, laying 
the fragments upon the table. Soberly and 
quietly she finished the dishes, dropping many 
tears upon them in spite of all her efforts. She 
just had everything nicely done when her grand- 


6 A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 

mother walked into the room and at once dis- 
covered the broken plate. 

“You heedless girl, have you broken my 
beautiful plate?” and she took up the bits of 
china so tenderly that Ruth’s heart was touched ; 
but regret at the loss of her precious bric-a-brac 
gave place immediately to indignation against 
the perpetrator of the mischief. “You are a 
wicked girl ; you are the trial of my life. All 
these five years that you have lived with me 
you have been a torment. You deserve a sound 
whipping, big girl as you are.” 

“ I know it, grandma ; I wish you would give 
me one,” broke in Ruth, thinking how much 
easier that would be to bear than the loss of the 
picnic. 

“No; I do n’t whip other people’s children, 
but, miss, you will not see any picnic this after- 
noon. You can put away that cake you baked 
yesterday and just stay at home — and see if you 
can learn a lesson. I will give you a long seam 
to sew.” 

Those interminable seams, Grandma Avery’s 
pet form of punishment, how Ruth did hate 
them — especially on bright days when her young 
blood was just tingling to be out of doors ! 

Poor Grandmother Avery ! She had forgot- 
ten that in the long years ago she herself had 
been a girl, thoughtless, wayward and careless. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


7 


“ I cannot tell how many things you have 
broken since you have been in this house. That 
plate could not be bought for less than two or 
three dollars — even if I could find one; for they 
are very rare. My mother’s plate, too,” and the 
voice trembled again. Ruth felt an impulse to 
put her arms around her neck and beg her par- 
don, but before she could speak Mrs. Avery 
continued : “ I cannot see, for the life of me, 
where you got your careless ways, unless it was 
from that inefficient mother of yours.” 

These insinuations about her loved and gen- 
tle mother Ruth could not endure. Her black 
eyes flashed, and stamping her foot, as she often 
did when angry, she exclaimed, “You shall not 
speak in that way about my dear good mother.” 

“ I shall speak as I please ; I do not intend 
to be dictated to by a chit of a girl like you 
about what I may say,” and stately Grandmother 
Avery walked out of the room, leaving Ruth 
furiously indignant. 


8 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VIC TOE V. 


CHAPTER II. 

When Mrs. Avery took her nine-years-old 
granddaughter, or “ had her forced upon her,” 
as she expressed it, “for where else could the 
child go unless it were to the Poorhouse or the 
Orphan Asylum ?’ she thanked the Lord that it 
“ was not a boy with his uproarious ways,” and 
that the girl was “ every inch an Avery and not 
an Eastman.” She often said, “ Ruth has all the 
fire and spirit of an Avery ; she is not a bit like 
her meek, quiet mother, who had not spunk 
enough to make a brave fight for life after her 
husband was killed.” 

So Ruth’s great fault — a fiery temper — was 
often condoned, while her careless, thoughtless 
ways were condemned as though they were 
heinous sins. Thus the grandmother lost her 
moral power over the child. 

“ I mean to do my duty by her,” Mrs. Avery 
said, and her duty she did, as she saw it ; strict, 
stern duty, but without tenderness or love. 
“ Petting makes weaklings,” was one of her 
maxims. Poor, heart-hungry Ruth was in little 
danger of being surfeited with that kind of diet. 
The inflexible old lady did not dream of the 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


9 


great longing there was in the child-heart for 
the gentle touch, the loving voice, and the ten- 
der prayers of the dear mother who was gone 
to the “ Better Land.” She did not dream how 
many times the little girl’s pillow was wet with 
her tears because “I’m home-sick for mamma.” 
Had she not allowed her to come and live under 
her roof, upsetting all the regulations of a quiet, 
systematic household ? Out of a scanty income 
had she not given this child comfortable food 
and clothing, often denying herself? What 
more could be asked ? 

But our little maiden had that best of gifts, 
a cheerful spirit, without which all else is as 
ashes. She found much to make her happy, not- 
withstanding some sad and lonely hours. She 
loved the birds, the flowers, and all beautiful 
things, and had a peopled world of her own that 
Grandma Avery could not enter nor disturb. 
When she commenced attending the village 
school she soon proved herself an apt scholar, 
heading her classes and becoming a prime 
favorite with her mates, in spite of her quick 
temper, and a leader in all the fun and frolic. 

That afternoon, after the dishes were washed, 
Mrs. Avery went to her room for her usual nap, 
leaving Ruth in possession of the kitchen. As 
she sat by the window with the “ everlasting 
sewing” in her hand there was a frown upon 


10 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VIC TOE V. 


her usually bright face, and her lips were 
pursed together in a way that was not pleasant 
to see. 

“ I do hate to sew,” she exclaimed. “ I ’ll 
buy a sewing-machine the first money I earn 
teaching school; then good-by, old needle! 
Here I Ve got to sit and stitch all this lovely 
Saturday afternoon while the girls are having 
such fun 1 It ’s real wicked in grandma, when 
she knows how much I want to go,” and the 
tears fell fast. 

Soon she heard voices, and went to the door 
to watch the approach of the merry cavalcade 
with its harmless equipment of baskets and 
packages. As they came up the path to the 
house several of the girls called out, “Come, 
Ruth, are you all ready ?” 

“ No, I ’m not ; I cannot go !” 

“ Cannot go ! But you must go ; we cannot 
do without you,” was echoed in chorus. “ What 
is the matter ? Why can’t you go ?” 

“ Oh, I broke grandma’s Lafayette plate this 
morning, and to punish me she says I must stay 
at home and sew all the afternoon.” 

“Oh, the horrid thing!” “How cross and 
mean in her!” were the kind of exclamations 
that greeted this announcement. 

“Was it that pretty plate I was looking at 
the other day, ‘The Landing of Lafayette?’” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VIC TOE V. 


II 


asked Clarence Stedman, for a few of the bro- 
thers were allowed to join the company. 

“ Yes ; that was the one.” 

“ Whew ! I do n’t wonder she was provoked ; 
that was a daisy !” 

“Where is your grandmother? Perhaps I 
can coax her into letting you go,” said sweet 
Annie Stedman, the oldest of the girls. 

“ She 's taking her nap ; but it would n’t do 
any good, when she says no it ’s no forever.” 

“Like the laws of the Medes and Persians 
we were studying about the other day in Sun- 
day-school,” laughed Annie. 

Annie was two years older than Ruth, and 
had a sweet kind of motherly influence over her 
younger friend. “ So your grandma ’s asleep ; is 
she ? What ’s to hinder you from putting on 
your hat and coming right along with us ? She 
wont find out till we are safe in the woods. If 
she tries to follow you she can’t find you, for we 
are going to a new place,” was the proposition of 
one of the girls. The others chimed in, “ Come, 
Ruth, do it ; hurry and get your things.” 

Ruth’s face brightened for a moment. “ I 
believe I will.” Then she hesitated as the ques- 
tion came to her mind, “ Would it be right to 
deceive grandmother that way ?” Again some- 
thing was tugging at her heart-strings, and her 
dear mother’s eyes seemed to be watching her. 


12 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTOR V. 


“ No, I cannot do that,” she said at length 
very decidedly; “it would not be right,” and 
she turned and went into the house. 

“ Bravo for you, Ruth ; you are made of good 
stuff!” called out Clarence Stedman, which com- 
forted her a little ; but May Andrews’ parting 
words, “You’ll be sorry; I have that lovely 
story-book, and Annie is going to read to us,” 
were very aggravating. 

“That lovely story-book,” and dear, sweet 
Annie to read it, what a joy that would be ! 
Story-books were a tabooed pleasure to Ruth 
Avery. “You shall not waste your time over 
any such nonsense,” said practical Grandma 
Avery. Even many of the Sunday-school books 
she condemned. “ They did not fill girls’ heads 
with any such foolishness when I was young.” 

The house was very still and lonely as Ruth, 
with a sober face, took up her sewing. The 
tall, old-fashioned clock — generally her great 
admiration — was very exasperating as its meas- 
ured tick counted off the seconds of an afternoon 
that she thought would be endless. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 




CHAPTER III. 

When Mrs. Avery walked out of her room, 
with a clean white apron on and looking gen- 
erally refreshed, she found the disconsolate 
Ruth sitting just where she had left her two 
hours before. She examined her work. “ Why, 
Ruth Avery, is that all you have done? Well, 
you will have to finish your stint, if you sew 
until dark.” 

But she stopped suddenly, as she noticed 
Ruth’s red eyes and forlorn expression, so dif- 
ferent from her usual bright look.* Something 
touched the old lady’s heart, for she really had. 
a heart under her stern exterior. How could 
she know that the giving up of a little thing like 
a picnic would be such a keen disappointment 
to Ruth ? She did not imagine all the struggles 
and temptations of the day, nor how the demon 
of distrust had tortured the poor girl’s heart, 
making her wonder if God had forgotten her, 
and wonder, too, if he were like Grandma Avery. 
But through all that hard afternoon one thought 
had comforted her : “ God must be good ; for 
he was my dear mamma’s God.” 

Ah, Grandma Avery, you do not understand 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


girls ! You have allowed the years to estrange 
you from the young, and your heart has grown 
old with your body. 

Mrs. Avery went into the pantry, and coming 
out with a large pitcher in her hand started 
down the cellar stairs. In a moment Ruth heard 
a crash. She sprang up and clapped her hands 
gleefully, exclaiming, “There; grandma ’s broken 
that nice pitcher, and I ’m glad. So other folks 
can break things as well as Ruth Avery !” 

She listened for her grandmother to come up^ 
then thought she heard a groan, and rushing to 
the door saw her lying at the foot of the stairs 
very still and white. Ruth was terrified, but 
hastened to get water and camphor, hoping it 
was faintnes3, as it proved to be. In a few mo- 
ments Mrs. Avery opened her eyes with a groan. 
“Oh, Ruth, I fear I have broken my leg ; go for 
Aunt Peggy.” 

In the yard Ruth found Sam — the faithful 
man-of-all-work, a relative of Mrs. Avery’s, who 
managed the little farm — and sent him for Aunt 
'The three succeeded in getting Mrs. 
Avery up stairs and upon her bed, then Sam 
went in all haste for the doctor. 

“ Oh, Ruth, child, what a dreadful thing has 
happened to me ! What shall I do ! How can I lie 
here five or six weeks ?” and the strong, vigorous 
woman, who had always been so active, burst 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY, 


^5 


into tears, the first that Ruth had ever seen her 
shed. Her own tears came, too, for they were 
very near the surface that afternoon ; “ Poor, 
dear grandma, I ’m so sorry,’’ she said tenderly, 
kissing and stroking the faded cheek. Her 
grandmother returned the kiss and clung to her 
hand. 

What will you do, child ? But I am so glad 
I have you; what could I do without you!” 
These words of loving appreciation did Ruth 
more good than any words Mrs. Avery had ever 
spoken to her since she came to live in that 
house. 

Never you fear, grandma ; I ’m well and 
strong, and you ’ll soon be on your feet again.” 
With such kind words she tried to comfort her 
until the doctor came. 

It was a bad fracture, the doctor found, be- 
low the knee ; for certain reasons he thought it 
not best to put the limb in a plaster-of- Paris cast, 
but applied splints and bandages, administer- 
ing an anodyne during the painful operation of 
setting the bone. Ruth watched it all closely, 
with great interest ; she was handy and quick, 
and was able to be of real assistance ; she asked 
so many bright, intelligent questions that the 
young doctor remarked, “ You will make a good 
nurse, I am sure,” which her grandmother had 
to spoil by opening her eyes suddenly and add- 


j6 a little MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 

ing, “If she does not forget, or have a careless 
fit/' 

“ She may forget,” laughed the doctor ; “ you 
know the adage about not expecting old heads 
on young shoulders.” 

Mrs. Avery assented quietly : “ Yes, I know ; 
I am glad I have a granddaughter now, if she is 
young and thoughtless.” After all was finished, 
and the weight applied to the foot, Mrs. Avery 
felt like a prisoner in a cell ; she rebelled against 
this hard discipline. 

“ Now, honey, you go out and have a run ; 
you’s goin’ to see hard times,” said Peggy. 
“ What kept you home from the picnic ?” 

“ I broke a plate, and had to stay at home 
and sew ; and, I declare, I have not finished that 
seam !” 

“ And, you wont, this day,” with a contemp- 
tuous toss of her head. “ Your granny better 
give me this old sheet, ’stead of makin’ you turn 
it ; such nonsense !” gathering up the despised 
article. “ I guessed somethin’ was up when I 
saw the gals go by without you. The Lord 
only knows what your granny would have done 
if you ’d gone ; she ’d be a-lyin’ in that cellar 
yet, I guess. They ’re all cornin’ back now, I 
do believe — from the shoutin’.” 

Ruth was at the gate to greet the returning 
party ; her face was brighter than when they 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 17 

went. “We have had such a lovely time ! — 
only we did miss you,” was the verdict of the 
tired but merry group. 

When Ruth told of the misfortune that had 
come to her grandmother May Andrews broke 
out, “ Good ! That ’s to punish her for being so 
ugly to you.” 

“ And she broke her choice pitcher,” said 
Ruth, with a malicious gleam in her eyes ; then 
her better nature spoke : “ Poor dear grandma ! 
I ’m so sorry for her.” 

“So say we all of us,” exclaimed Clarence 
Stedman. 

Then they opened their baskets and gave 
her the pretty woodsy things that they had 
brought for her ; there were wintergreens, 
mosses, sweet blue violets, and other exquisitely 
beautiful blossoms with which God adorns the 
woods of spring, and which teach so many 
pleasant lessons. They were a little faded, to 
be sure, but Ruth took them with delight, for 
she loved them dearly. 

“And this is for you, Ruth,” said Annie 
Stedman ; “ we made it for you, and none of the 
girls would wear it ; they said it was yours,” 
taking out a pretty wreath of flowers which had 
been kept moist and looked quite fresh. 

“Now if you only had those long brown 
curls that your naughty grandame cut off, how 
2 


i8 A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 

nice you would look,” said May Andrews, plac- 
ing the wreath on Ruth’s head. 

Then with mock salutes to their queen, and 
much fun and laughter, they bade her good- 
night. But Annie lingered for a moment. “ I 
fear you cannot come to Sunday-school to-mor- 
row.” 

“ No, but I suppose I can study my cate- 
chism ; that will please grandma,” with a rog- 
uish smile. “ And day-school too —I fear I must 
miss that,” and Ruth looked sober. 

“ I ’m sorry ; it is going to be hard for you. 
But ask Jesus to help you,” Annie whispered 
with her parting kiss. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


19 


CHAPTER IV. 

The next day, the Sabbath, found Mrs. 
Avery uncomfortable and restless, but very 
patient. When Ruth came into her room in 
the early morning she was astonished at the 
gentle, subdued expression on the pale, wrin- 
kled face. Kind Mrs. Hart, their next door 
neighbor, had stayed with her through the night, 
and done all she could to cheer and comfort. 
Ruth was still more astonished when her grand- 
mother said kindly, '‘You can go to Sunday- 
school, Ruth, and stay to church if you like, for 
Aunt Peggy is coming to stay all day ; she has 
no work to-day.” 

“But, grandma, I will not leave you alone 
with Peggy.” 

“Yes, go, child; there will be plenty of times 
when you cannot go anywhere.” 

When, on Ruth’s return from church, Mrs. 
Avery asked her to read a chapter from the 
Bible her astonishment reached its height. 
Mrs. Avery was a nominal church member, but 
for many years business and hard work had 
crowded out church duties, and often Bible- 
reading and prayer. Ruth, as a bright child 


20 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VIC TOE V. 


comparing her mother and her grandmother, 
had often wondered what made church mem- 
bers so different. 

But Grandma Avery had been faithful in 
sending her charge to Sunday-school and in 
teaching her the catechism, which Ruth hated 
as badly as she did sewing. But by her grand- 
mother’s determined efforts the difficult sen- 
tences and hard words were permanently lodged 
in her memory, many of its glorious truths to 
become a mine of wealth to her in future years. 

“What chapter shall I read?” asked Ruth, 
after she had secured the Bible. 

“ I fear, child, it is dUvSty,” with a little sigh. 
“ Read the fourteenth chapter of John ; some- 
thing to comfort me and help me bear this 
trouble. I never had anything like this to bear ; 
how can I lie here all these weeks !” There was 
a tremor in the usually strong voice that was 
pitiful. 

“ Oh, grandma, it wont seem so very long.” 

“ You do not know anything about it, child. 
Then there is all the expense.” 

“Well, don’t think of that now, grandma,” 
and Ruth stooped and kissed her, and again had 
the kiss tenderly returned. 

Ruth read in a clear, pleasant voice, and 
very expressively, many of the sweet words 
that she knew that her mother used to love. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN E VIC TOE V. 


21 


for they were heavily marked in that treasured 
little Bible that had been her mother’s. Her 
grandmother grew quiet, and soon Ruth thought 
her asleep, but as she rose to put away the book 
the closed eyes opened, and she said gently, 
“ Thank you, Ruth.” 

But in a few moments she was breathing 
regularly again, and Ruth tiptoed softly out of 
the room to Aunt Peggy. “ Oh, this has been 
such a happy day ; grandma kisses me as though 
she really loved me. She ’s so good : she acts 
like a Christian now.” 

“ Tut, tut, honey ; ’t aint for the likes of us 
to be judgin’. Your granny ’s got a high sper- 
rit ; she gets hard, sometimes, but the Lord, 
he knows all ’bout her heart. You ’ve got the 
same high sperrit, Ruth, honey ; it ’ll take lots 
of hard knocks to bring you down.” 

“ You ’ve told me that a great many times, 
Peggy ; I ought to know it by this time. Grand- 
ma doesn’t think my temper ’s anything so very 
bad. If I could only get over my careless ways 
I think she would call me a very good girl.” 

“Your granny’s stone blind. I axed her 
the other day when she thought she was going 
to tame you down, and she only laughed. But 
your dead mammy used to cry over you when 
you got such mad fits. You know the blessin’s 
for the meek.” 


22 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


“Yes, and for the honest, I suppose,” a home 
thrust that Aunt Peggy could not parry, as she 
had the reputation of being a little light-fin- 
gered, although with stern Mrs. Avery she was 
always on her good behavior. 

Then Ruth sauntered out and climbed into 
her favorite seat in the apple-tree, to talk with 
her birds and to read her Sunday-school book. 

“ I know well enough that Aunt Peggy’s 
right, and grandma is wrong,” she thought. 
“ My quick ugly temper is the very worst thing 
about me ; but how is it ever to be changed ? 
Grandma does make me so mad ; if ‘she would 
always be as she is to-day I might improve.” 
Then sweet Annie Stedman’s words came to 
her mind: “ Ask Jesus to help you,” and from 
the apple-bough she sent up an earnest prayer 
that reached the Saviour’s ear, as all sincere 
prayers do. 

The robin eyed her askance, but without 
any sign of fear, and chirped his good-night. 
“ Good-night, dear robin-redbreast ; God will 
take care of you, and of me,” exclaimed Ruth. 
“ I guess he loves us both.” 

Soon the church bell in the village sent out 
its sweet call to evening service. “The Chris- 
tian Endeavor meeting!” starting from her 
seat. “ I believe I ’ll ask grandma if I cannot 
go; she is so very good to-day, she may say 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


^3 


yes but she remembered that Aunt Peggy 
must soon be going home, so consoled herself 
by singing softly one of the hymns — “ God be 
with you till we meet again ” — thinking all the 
time of dear Annie Stedman. 

That she could not join the young people’s 
society and attend their meetings had been 
one of Ruth’s great trials. She had more than 
one battle of words over the matter with Grand- 
ma Avery, but, as usual, the old lady was in- 
flexible. I am not going to have you traip- 
sing down to the village Sunday evenings ; you 
cannot come home alone, and if a lot of young- 
sters come with you it will be nothing more than 
a frolic. You can study your catechism and then 
go to bed and get well rested, so you can be up 
bright and early Monday morning to help me 
with the washing before you go to school. That 
is Christian Endeavor enough for a girl like 
you. They did not have any such excitements 
in my day ; the children went to prayer-meeting 
with their elders.” 

So poor Ruth lost this opportunity of meet- 
ing her young friends, her loved Annie particu- 
larly. But she lost something of more impor- 
tance, and that was the help and inspiration 
that comes from these enthusiastic gatherings 
of brave young hearts fired with love for Christ 
and with zeal in his service. She needed all 


I 


24 A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 

these helps sadly in her daily struggle with 
temptation. Life seemed very hard to her at 
times, but her sunny, cheerful disposition kept 
her sweet-hearted. 

Sitting there in the apple-tree, in the mellow 
light of a spring sunset, Ruth felt very happy. 
The disappointment of Saturday had passed 
out of mind completely. Her little soliloquy to 
herself and the birds was a cheery one : “ I 
know I shall have to work hard, and stay at 
home from school ; but if grandma gets kind 
and good, and loves me and pets me as mamma 
used to do, I ’m sure I shall be a better girl. I 
shall be so glad that I can sing all the day 
long.” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


25 


CHAPTER V. 

With the light of Monday morning came 
plenty of work for Ruth’s willing hands to do ; 
work that might have taxed the strength of a 
grown woman. Thanks to her grandmother’s 
wise treatment, Ruth Avery possessed the treas- 
ure of a strong, healthy body. Plenty of good 
wholesome food, without dainties, plenty of 
sleep, of fresh air, and of exercise, with regular 
baths, had strengthened her muscles and sent 
the pure blood coursing through her veins, mak- 
ing her eyes bright and her cheeks rosy. 

“ She shall not be weakly, like her mother, 
if I can help it,” Mrs. Avery often said. ‘‘She 
has her father’s good constitution and I mean 
to preserve it.” When she looked at her well- 
developed fourteen-years-old grandaughter she 
felt well satisfied with the result of her efforts. 

Everything moved along very smoothly and 
seemed easy to Ruth that morning. The sense 
of her responsibility made her feel very woman- 
ly. Then it was a real pleasure to have the 
kitchen to herself, without a pair of sharp eyes 
to watch her every moment and a rasping voice 
to reprove every careless movement. She could 


26 A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 

dance and sing around the house, if she did it 
softly, but she was very careful not to break 
anything. 

Mrs. Avery was worried and fearful lest Ruth 
should over-do. She sent for Sam, and gave him 
minute directions about helping her with the 
small washing that must be done, charging 
him to carry all the water, to turn the washing- 
machine, and to assist Ruth in every way. 

Sam was a staid old bachelor, of about fifty, 
who had lived with Mrs. Avery for years, and 
who was too dignified and important a person- 
age generally to do any house work. But he 
was so sorry for the plucky young girl upon 
whose shoulders so much hard work and care 
had suddenly fallen that he took hold with a 
will. 

It was great fun for Ruth to have Sam for 
her factotum, for his oddities of speech and 
manner were her continual amusement. From 
the little back summer-kitchen peals of laughter 
penetrated to the bed-room where Mrs. Avery 
lay a helpless prisoner, and frightened the good 
woman. Ruth’s foolishness will surely pro- 
voke Sam, and he will leave,” she thought. The 
possibility of such a happening started the per- 
spiration, for Sam — a kind of despot in the little 
household — was a very necessary member of the 
family. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTOR Y. 


27 


But her alarm was needless ; for Sam himself 
was enjoying the merriment, although he hard- 
ly imagined how much of it was at his own ex- 
pense. For the first time the washing was done 
to the accompaniment of song and laughter. 
Before noon Ruth had the satisfaction of see- 
ing sheets, tablecloth and underwear fiapping in 
the breeze all as white and clean as Grandma 
Avery herself could make them. Ruth knew 
what should be done, and her mind was thor- 
oughly on her work that morning. The rooms 
were put in nice order, the dinner prepared and 
an inviting tray carried in to Mrs. Avery. By 
two o'clock the Monday’s extra duties were all 
done, as she announced triumphantly to her 
grandmother. 

“ I fear you have slighted some things, Ruth. 
Did you get the stains out of the tablecloth, 
and did you wash the dish-towels and spread 
them on the grass?” 

“ Yes, grandma, I did ; I am sure every- 
thing is as well done as you could do it your- 
self.” 

“ Well, child, perhaps it is. I cannot help it 
if it is not ; no work for me these many days,” 
with a longdrawn sigh, “ only just to lie here 
and wait.” 

Then Ruth told of some of the funny say- 
ings and doings of the morning until she sue- 


28 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTOR V. 


ceeded in making her grandmother laugh out- 
right in spite of herself. It had been her prin- 
ciple never to join Ruth in a laugh against 
Sam, whatever she might do when the girl was 
not present. “ Sam is a good man, and you 
must not make fun of him,” had been her con- 
tinual admonition. 

As Ruth was putting a finishing touch to 
her work, by arranging a few flowers in the 
only vase the house contained, she saw kind 
Mrs. Hart coming up the walk with a market- 
basket on her arm. “ Why, Ruth dear, you do 
not say that you have the washing out, and the 
work all done as nice as a pin !” looking around 
the tidy kitchen. 

“Yes, indeed ; Sam and I did the washing.” 

“ Sam and you did the washing ? Not Sam !” 

“ Yes ; yes ; he helped ! If you only could 
have seen how comical and awkward he was. 
Oh such fun !” and Ruth danced around the 
room in great glee. 

Mrs. Hart laughed. “ And have you given 
your grandmother anything to eat?” taking 
from her capacious basket a pie, a cake, and a 
loaf of bread. 

“ She ’s had a good dinner, and she ate it 
with a relish ; but these things will come in 
awful nice.” 

“Very nice, you mean, Ruth.” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY, 


29 


“Yes, very nice ; for we may get awful hun- 
gry,” laughing, “on my cooking.” 

“ Why, my dear child, you have done finely 
this morning ; not broken anything, nor spoiled 
anything.” 

“ No, not a thing, I believe.” 

“ I always told Mrs. Avery that you had good 
stuff in you ; that you would develop into a sen- 
sible, capable woman that she could be proud of 
some day. It takes these emergencies to bring 
out what is in our girls,” and she smoothed the 
wavy hair so gently and looked into the bright 
young face so tenderly that it almost brought 
the tears. Words of encouragement and appre- 
ciation were rare to Ruth Avery. 

“ But, dear Mrs. Hart, there is one thing I 
shall never learn how to do, and that is to sew.” 

Mrs. Hart could not but smile, for she knew 
how much of Ruth s discipline had been given 
with that seemingly harmless utensil, the needle. 

“ Grandma says I ’m very awkward, and I 
know I am. I do believe I could learn to play 
the piano easier, and I ’m sure it is much easier 
to draw ; I love to do that at school.” 

“ Perhaps you could come and practise on my 
organ occasionally,” said Mrs. Hart, thinking 
that the stern guardian might be more indul- 
gent to the orphan girl in the future. “ Now go 
and take a rest after all this work.” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


JO 

“ Do I look as though I needed it ? I’m not 
tired in the least. I ’m so strong,” feeling the 
muscles in her arm. 

“ Well, go out into the sunshine, then, while 
I sit with Mrs. Avery. Oh, I forgot : there is 
a book for you in my basket ; a story-book, 
but such a good one that your grandmother 
cannot object.” 

“ Thank you ! thank you !” cried Ruth, and 
grasping the treasure she was soon ensconced 
in her apple-tree bower, ready to spend a most 
delightful afternoon. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN S VICTORY. 


31 


CHAPTER VI. 

W HEN, after a little colloquy with her winged 
friends, she opened the paper-covered book her 
first feeling was one of disappointment. “ A 
Sunday-school book !” she exclaimed, as she 
glanced at the title : Antipas, and others whom 
Jesus loved.” But the illustrations looked invi- 
ting, and she soon grew greatly interested in 
this tale of Christ. As she read on she grew 
delighted with the story ; a great longing filled 
her heart to have this blessed One for her friend 
and her Saviour. 

Ruth could remember the time when she had 
thought herself a Christian. One lovely win- 
ter’s evening was very distinct in her memory. 
She had been out riding down hill with her only 
brother. The sky was beautiful with the gor- 
geous sunset coloring. As she came up the hill 
to the house the loveliness of the scene, the 
bright tints of the sky above and the gleaming 
snow beneath, left an impression on the imag- 
inative child that had never been effaced. 

She came into the room where her delicate 
mother was sitting in the fading light, and lean- 
ing on her knee and looking up into that sweet 


32 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


face she exclaimed, “ Oh, mamma, I ’m so hap- 
py, so happy !” 

“ I am glad ; what makes my darling so 
happy ?” drawing her close. 

“ Oh, God is so good ; I do love God. Can’t 
I be a Christian ?” 

Then the sainted mother took the little girl 
on her lap and told her in simple words, that she 
could understand, what it was to be a Christian — 
to love, to trust, and to serve the Saviour. Could 
she ever forget that sweet, loving, but plain ex- 
planation ? How easy it seemed to her childish 
mind to love and trust the blessed Jesus. And 
the mother had her kneel down and ask the 
Saviour to forgive her sins, to make her his 
child, and to keep her from all evil. 

For months she had lived a happy life, read- 
ing the Bible daily and praying at her mother’s 
side, until the darkness fell upon her home. 
P'irst the angels came for her little brother ; then 
the loved mother went home to God, leaving 
Ruth alone, a heart-broken little girl. 

When she was taken by her grandmother 
and given a good home her heart was starving 
for love — the strong mother-love that she had 
lost. But this Mrs. Avery did not understand. 
Her exacting commands and loveless rules, so 
different from her mother’s gentle but firm con- 
trol, exasperated the child, rousing her quick 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. jj 

temper, which her mother had taught her was 
a great fault. She rebelled against her grand- 
mother’s authority with great indignation, al- 
though she dared not disobey. She forgot about 
her heavenly Friend, and neglected her little 
Bible and her daily prayers. 

Thus she gradually wandered away from the 
pleasant path of love and trust in which her 
childish feet had begun to walk. But all this 
time in her innermost heart was a shrine where 
her beloved mother dwelt, and with her that 
mother’s God and Saviour. And that same 
Saviour had not ceased to care for his little 
wandering child, and this afternoon he was 
calling her back to him in most tender, loving 
tones. 

Mrs. Hart’s cheery summons, “ Come, Ruth, 
it is almost night, and I must go home soon,” 
aroused her from her book. She found that the 
sun was almost down and Sam was driving 
home the cows. “ I have given your grandmo- 
ther her supper and yours is all ready. Have 
you had a pleasant afternoon?” glancing into 
the flushed face. 

“ Oh yes, very ; but this book makes my 
heart ache. Oh, Mrs. Hart, I do want to be a 
Christian,” with a choking sob. 

Mrs. Hart looked amazed. “ Well, Ruth, it 
is easy to be one.” 

3 


34 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


“ Tell me how, Mrs. Hart — how to keep from 
gettingangry and being so wicked.” 

Mrs. Hart was not used to giving religious 
instruction ; she hardly knew how to reply. 
“ Ask your Sunday-school teacher ; she can tell 
you better than I can.” 

“ I do n’t seem to know her very well ; but I 
will ask Annie Stedman.” 

“ Well, Ruth dear, there is One who can 
teach you, and that one is God ; ask him.” 

That evening, when she went to say good- 
night, her grandmother asked in the old sharp 
tone, “ Ruth, what have you been doing all 
this afternoon? Have you wasted all these 
hours ?” 

An angry retort rose to her lips at once, but 
she checked herself and answered gently, “Not 
wasting them, grandma ; I ’ve been reading the 
sweetest book, that Mrs. Hart brought me.” 

“A story-book, I dare say.” 

“Yes; a story about Christ. I must read it 
to you, grandmother, it is so lovely.” 

Something in Ruth’s tone and manner 
checked Mrs. Avery. “ I wish you could read 
me something to take away this nervousness. 
How I am to lie here much longer is more than 
I can tell,” petulantly. “ But go to bed now, for 
you must be up early to-morrow to iron and do 
all the other work. Mrs. Hart says you have 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. S5 

done very well to-day. I hope you will not go 
back to your old careless ways.” 

This was the nearest to approbation that 
Mrs. Avery could come. But Ruth was thank- 
ful for even such praise. 

Ruth had been obliged to leave her snug 
little nest up stairs and to take a room next 
to her grandmother’s, that she might be near 
her during the night. The moon was shining 
brightly, so she did not need a lamp. After 
she was undressed she kneeled by the bed- 
side a long time. Mrs. Avery watched the 
white-robed kneeling figure with a pang. “ If 
I prayed to God as long as that perhaps I 
could have more patience to bear this trouble,” 
she thought. 

God alone knew what an earnest petition it 
was that Ruth offered that night. “ Make me a 
true Christian,” was its burden. “ Help grand- 
ma to be one too,” were its closing words. 

“ And a little child shall lead them.” 


3 ^ 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTOR V. 


CHAPTER VII. 

Ruth was up with the birds the next morn- 
ing, singing about the house as happy as they 
until her grandmother called out, “ Ruth, do 
not make so much noise; you make my head 
ache.” 

When she opened the windows in the small 
parlor again the fretful voice chided : “ Do not 
let the sun shine on that carpet ; you will fade it 
all out.” 

“ No, grandma, 1 11 only let in a little fresh 
air.” 

Ruth liked an excuse for going into the par- 
lor — Mrs. Avery’s sanctum sanctorum — with its 
quaint furniture. There was a table with pretty 
claw feet, a sofa and a mantel glass, brass candle- 
sticks and andirons that would have delighted 
the heart of the lover of the old-fashioned and 
antique. But she did not often have an oppor- 
tunity of enjoying these things, for the room 
was rarely opened. Have the little spinning- 
wheel from the garret in here,” Ruth had often 
urged, but Mrs. Avery had insisted that a parlor 
was no place for spinning-wheels. 

The air is so sweet this morning, grandma. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 37 

It ’s almost the last of May — and then will come 
lovely June !” 

Mrs. Avery groaned in spirit, as well as audi- 
bly. And I must lie here, with this weight 
on my foot, when there is so much spring 
work unfinished.” She had had an uncomfort- 
able, sleepless night, and the morning found her 
nervous and discouraged. “ How can I bear it, 
Ruth ! If I were sick it would be different ; 
but to be well and yet to be tied down to this 
bed — it is too much to bear.” 

“Ask Jesus to help you,” Ruth said softly, 
repeating Annie’s words. 

“ Does God care ? If he does, why did he 
allow this misfortune to come to me?” in a 
broken voice.” 

“ He does care, grandma ; he loves us so 
much.” 

“ I used to call myself a Christian, but I fear 
I have wandered away from God.” 

“ But you can come back ; he ’ll be so glad 
to have you,” thinking of the assurance of her 
own forgiveness and welcome that had come to 
her heart the previous evening. “ I too am try- 
ing to be a Christian, grandma.” 

“ You, dear child ? God help us both !” and 
the eyes filled. 

Ruth smoothed the wrinkled cheeks caress- 
ingly. “ I ’ll bring you a good cup of coffee 


38 A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VIC TOE V. 

and some breakfast; then you’ll feel ever so 
much better,” and she flitted out of the room 
with a happy heart. 

Sam had a fire made and the kettle boiling 
merrily in the little back kitchen. 

“ You will have a hard day,” said Mrs. Avery 
when Ruth returned with the tray. “You must 
send for Aunt Peggy ; there is the ironing to 
be done and a large churning.” 

“ Oh, Sam will churn for me.” 

“ But who will get the cream ready?” 

“ I can easily do that.” 

“ I fear you will spill it and waste it.” 

“ No, I wont, grandma. I ’ll be ever so care- 
ful.” 

“ But you would better have Aunt Peggy ; I 
do not want you tired out. Only you must watch 
her that she does not steal ; she needs watching.” 

“Yes, I know her,” laughed Ruth. 

Aunt Peggy could come that day, and with 
two pairs of willing hands the work moved off 
rapidly — easily and joyously to Ruth. A happy 
heart is a powerful motor. 

Once Sam put his head in at the open door, 
saying, in his comical drawl, “ Them pesky little 
pigs is out again — rooted theirselves right out of 
the pen. I never see such mischievous things 
in my mortal life. Now I must go hunt ’em.” 

Soon Ruth heard a great noise, and rushing 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY: 


39 


to the door saw Sam coming with a little white 
pig under each arm : the little creatures were 
squealing lustily, and squirming so that he 
could hardly hold them. “ I Ve cotched the 
pesky things, and I ’ll fix ’em so they ’ll stay 
put,” he called out, while Ruth laughed at the 
comical sight. 

Mrs. Avery’s bell rang furiously. “ Ruth, 
what is the matter with the pigs ? Run quick 
and see.” 

Ruth explained, making it all as funny as 
possible. “ Poor Sam ! He needs me to tell him 
how to fix that pen. He does lack gumption ; 
but do not laugh at him, Ruth.” 

After dinner Peggy did some cleaning, and 
then thought that she must go home. Ruth 
was congratulating herself that nothing had 
been stolen. Just take those tubs down cellar 
for me first, Peggy. Sam has forgotten them.” 

Ruth noticed that Aunt Peggy wore a water- 
proof, and wondered why she needed a cloak 
such a warm day. When Peggy came up stairs 
by an adroit movement Ruth pulled up this 
outer garment, and found a bag in her hand 
filled with potatoes. “ Oh, Peggy, you ’ve been 
stealing potatoes, and we have very few left.” 

No, honey, I didn’t steal um ; your granny 
gin um to me.” 

“ Now, Peggy, do n’t tell me that, for I know 


40 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


better ; you are a wicked thing, to steal and 
then to lie about it.” Ruth’s eyes flashed, and 
she stamped her foot in anger. 

“ Tut, tut, sissy ; do n’t get mad nor nuthin’; 
it ’s wicked.” 

“ I know it is ; and it ’s wicked to steal and 
to lie ; but I ’ll go and ask grandma about it.” 

“ Do n’t do that foolishness now, honey, it ’ll 
only bother her, and make her narvussy. She 
most gen’ally gins me somethin’ when I go. I 
needs potatoes, and know she ’d gim me some.” 

“ I know she would not, for ours are almost 
gone.” 

“ I tell you what we ’ll do, sis ; let it go on 
my pay.” 

“ Well, then, I ’ll measure them,” and Ruth 
started for the wood-house to get the measure, 
but it took some time to find it, for order was 
not one of Sam’s “ first laws.” When she re- 
turned Peggy and her potatoes were not to be 
found. 

Upon examination Ruth discovered that the 
glass jars in which the tea and coffee were kept 
were almost empty. “ That good-for-nothing old 
Aunt Peggy ! She ’s stolen tea and coffee too,” 
she exclaimed. “ How provoked grandma will 
be ; how she will scold me !” and Ruth was ready 
to cry with vexation. But she went directly in 
with the whole story. 


A LITTLE MAI DENE VICTOR V. 


41 


“ I told you so ; you will know better next 
time. But I will fix it when I come to settle 
with her, so do n’t you worry, child ; it cannot be 
helped,” in a kindly tone. 

Ruth wondered if another woman had not 
taken Grandma Avery’s place. 

Soon Mrs. Hart came over to sit a while and 
give Ruth a little outing. “No, she must finish 
that sheet first,” Mrs. Avery said very decidedly, 
and Ruth concluded that the real grandmother 
was still present. She bit her lip to keep back 
an angry word, but the independent toss of the 
head could not be hidden. 

She walked into the kitchen, twitched out 
the work that lay folded up on the stand — and 
found that the long seam was almost done. 

“ Dear, good Mrs. Hart ! — she has been sewing 
on this, and here I ’ve been so angry because I 
thought I must lose the afternoon. I ’m so sorry,” 
and the flushed face grew sober and gentle. 

Then Mrs. Hart gave her some instructions 
in sewing, teaching her how to hold her needle, 
etc., a few hints that helped her more than all 
Grandmother Avery’s fault-finding and scolding 
had ever done. 

The seam was soon completed, and Ruth 
rushed out to her seat to finish her book. There 
Annie Stedman found her, when she came up 
after school. “ I cannot invite you into my sky- 


42 A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 

parlor, as there ’s only room for one up here, 
but I ’m just as glad as I can be to see you ; it ’s 
just lovely in you to come.” 

The two girls soon found a seat in the gar- 
den. “ I ’ve brought your drawing-book and 
pencils, Ruth. I thought you might want 
them.” 

“ Oh, I ’m delighted !” She commenced tell- 
ing Annie some of the day’s experiences, then 
opened her book and drew a picture of Sam 
bringing home the two pigs; the little sketch 
was so comical that both girls laughed heartily. 

But their conversation soon drifted to more 
serious things. Ruth could open her heart to 
this friend as to no one else. She had her book 
to talk over, and many questions to ask. She 
needed help and counsel. Annie Stedman was 
an earnest Christian, and mature beyond her 
years. There in the garden, that afternoon, she 
“ threw out the life-line ” of a loving influence 
that was one means of drawing Ruth Avery’s 
straying feet back to her Saviour. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY, 


43 


CHAPTER VIII. 

As the days passed Mrs. Avery grew more 
and more nervous and exacting : more and more 
she chafed against the confinement, the enforced 
idleness. Nothing in past years, not even the 
death of her husband and son, had been such a 
trial, for then she found diversion in work and 
excitement in the shrewd management of her 
affairs so as to make ends meet. She had the 
‘"faculty” of a perfect housekeeper; her little 
home was a model of neatness, system, and 
order. 

Her incessant worries about the work, or the 
waste, grew very tiresome to the young girl who 
was trying so hard to be faithful and patient. 
The sharp ring of the little bell, or the fretful, 
imperative call of “ Ruth ! Ruth !” was often so 
exasperating that Ruth had to bite her lips to 
keep back the angry, impatient replies. This 
constant strain, with all there was to be done, 
was a great tax upon her strength. She often 
felt tired, and ached in every bone ; she won- 
dered at the strange, weary feeling that often 
made her usually nimble feet lag, and sometimes 
almost refuse to move. 


44 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 


But at night poor Mrs. Avery would often 
grow quiet and gentle, and she would ask trem- 
blingly, “Will I ever walk again?” Then 
Ruth’s heart would be full of pity instead of 
vexation. 

“ Poor child !” said Mrs. Avery one evening, 
“ you will surely be sick ; you must get Aunt 
Peggy to help you again,” for since the theft 
Ruth had declined her assistance. “She is a 
good, neat worker, and I will manage her ; send 
her to me.” 

The next morning Ruth thought that she 
would see what impression she could 'make her- 
self upon Peggy’s conscience. So she walked 
over to the little house near by, where Peggy 
lived with her little nephew — a comical little 
pickaninny — a pig, and some chickens, that 
seemed to have almost as free range of the house 
as the inmates themselves. 

“We want you to come over and work. Aunt 
Peggy, if you will only promise to keep your 
fingers off from things. You stole tea and coffee 
the other day, as well as potatoes.” 

“ Now, child, you got the wrong pig by the 
ears this time, sure ; you ’ve mistook, for sartin.” 

“Now don’t lie to me, Peggy; I’m just as 
sure you did it as though I had seen you with 
my own eyes. It ’s a great sin, it ’s very wrong, 
to steal, or to lie,” said Ruth very solemnly. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 


45 


Peggy looked ashamed. “Of course it is;” 
then she defended herself, as usual, by adding, 
“ and it 's wicked to get mad too, honey.” 

“ But, Peggy, I ’m trying very hard to do 
better. I sometimes wish that my feet were 
tied down to the floor, so they could not stamp ; 
I Ve been learning a sweet secret lately that 
makes it easier.” 

“ What ’s that, honey ?” 

“ Asking Jesus to help me.” 

“ Oh, you mean that ! I Ve hearn tell 'bout 
that in meetin’. I 'm no heathen.” 

“ Why, Peggy, I fear you do n’t want to stop 
doing wrong,” in a shocked, grieved tone. 

Aunt Peggy looked at her a moment, then 
explained : “Tell you how ’t is, honey : when I 
see folks havin’ all the good things, and I have 
nothin’, I just can’t stop helpin’ myself.” 

“ But it ’s wrong, all the same, Peggy. God 
loves you, and he wants to help you to be good. 
Will you not let him ? Will you not try to do 
what is right ?” 

There was a wistful, tender look in the bright 
face, a soft expression in the sharp black eyes — 
“ Granny Avery’s eyes,” Peggy called them — 
that stirred the ignorant colored woman’s very 
heart. She looked at the young girl in amaze- 
ment, then said gently, “Wall, wall, if a slip of 
a gal like you ’s going to flght the devil that-a- 


46 A LITTLE MAIDEN VIC TOE V. 

way, I guess an old woman like me better stop 
stealin’ and lyin’.” 

Aunt Peggy came, and Ruth found no cause 
for the old complaint. One day, unknown to 
Peggy, she saw her take up a package in the 
pantry, as though sorely tempted to confiscate 
it, then drop it quickly. I believe she put up 
a little prayer, as I do, and Jesus came to her 
help,” thought Ruth. She reported the act to 
her grandmother, with the remark, “ I do be- 
lieve Aunt Peggy is converted.” 

“ She must be, if she stops stealing of her 
own accord and not from fear of detection.” 

“ But, grandma, don’t you think God would 
help poor Aunt Peggy, if she asked him? I 
know that he helps me.” 

^‘Yes, child, I am sure he would. I do not 
know what I should do if he did not come to 
my rescue ; I should go raving crazy, lying here 
day after day.” 

As the beautiful June days came and went 
Ruth pined to be out in the woods and fields, 
among the birds and flowers, yet her feet were 
often too tired for a ramble, and they did not so 
much incline to dance around the house as they 
once did. She grew sober and careful, but it 
seemed harder to be patient. Only once did 
she break anything, and then the crash made 
her grandmother desperate. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


4 ? 


“ Ruth Avery, what under the sun have you 
broken now ?” 

“ It ’s only that old cracked platter that you 
dry fruit on,” cried Ruth resentfully. 

“ Well, I am glad it is not the best dish I 
have in the house,” with a sigh of relief. “ I 
expect there will not be a thing left by the 
time I get around again — if I ever do,” in that 
pathetic tone that always went to Ruth’s heart. 

“ Oh, you will, grandma, and very soon ; the 
doctor says you are doing finely.” 

Mrs. Hart came to relieve Ruth when she 
could be spared from her own family. One 
day, coming in after quite an absence, she was 
surprised at the change in Ruth. '‘This will 
never do,” pinching her pale cheek ; “ you must 
go right out into the sunshine.” 

“ Do you not want to drive to the village and 
go to the bank for me ?” asked Mrs. Avery ; " I 
cannot trust that stupid Sam to do any such 
business.” 

“ Oh, grandma, that would be the best kind 
of fun.” 

“ Tell Sam to harness up Dollie' and you can 
go at once.” 

" Why not let Sam go too, and drive ?” asked 
Mrs. Hart. 

“He must not leave his work ; he is clear 
behindhand anyway ; if I were a man I would 


48 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


not poke as he does. I drive Dollie, and so does 
Ruth ; she is very gentle.” 

This was a rare opportunity for Ruth. Dollie 
was a great pet, although she would snap at a 
woman, and once had left the impress of her 
teeth on Ruth’s arm. She was the only animal 
she could pet, as her grandmother would not 
allow cat or dog on the premises. Sometimes 
Sam surreptitiously had a cat at the barn, “ just 
to give the rats a hint,” but it would be so wild 
that petting would be impossible. 

“You must look out for this horse ; she ’s 
old, but she ’s frisky ; them pesky boys down to 
the village just love to make her jump. Stones 
and pieces of paper’ll scare her if you don’t 
watch out. Hold the reins good and snug ; she 
can pull on the reins like all possessed, the crit- 
ter can ; and do n’t drive too fast ; it ’s warm.” 

“ Do stop your advice, Sam,” laughed Ruth, 
“ or I ’ll never get to town before the bank 
closes.” She started off in high glee, calling 
back, “ I shall come home the longest way.” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


49 


CHAPTER IX. 

It was a very happy girl who drove along 
the pleasant country road that lovely June day. 
“ Oh, you daintily-stepping Dollie ; you are no 
common horse, but a real aristocratic steed,” she 
exclaimed. 

It was the first time she had ever driven any 
distance alone ; generally her grandmother was 
along, either driving or finding constant fault 
with Ruth’s driving. But now she had the 
horse and the whole beautiful country all to her- 
self. Not a charming sight or sound escaped 
her notice. The birds, the trees, the delicately 
green grass and the blue sky above her head 
all seemed to whisper of God’s love. There was 
a sweet, tender feeling in her heart when she 
thought of her Heavenly Father, a feeling that 
was new and delightful. 

She drove directly to the bank. Dollie re- 
belled against being tied by a person in skirts. 
“ I will hold her for you,” said a gentleman 
who knew the animal’s ways. Ruth thanked 
him and went into the bank. She presented 
her check and bank-book and drew the money, 
following her grandmother’s directions exactly. 


4 


JO 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VIC TOE V. 


She did some other errands and then started 
for home by the longest and most lonely road. 

As she drove down the street the scholars 
were just coming out from the school-building. 
A shout of welcome and a chorus of exclama- 
tions greeted Ruth. One girl waved her parasol, 
which frightened Dollie and made her spring to 
one side ; but the road was wide and level, so no 
harm was done. Ruth soon quieted her, so as 
to stop and have a little chat with some of 
her friends, Annie Stedman in particular. But 
Dollie’s mettle was aroused and she was impa- 
tient to be off, so Ruth gave her the reins and 
away they started in grand style. May Andrews 
exclaiming, “Oh, Ruth, your grandmother would 
have a fit, to see you driving at that pace !” 

It took Ruth some time to get Dollie tamed 
down to a respectable trot, so that she could 
look around and enjoy the beautiful changes 
spring had wrought. It seemed almost like a 
new road to her, in its fresh dress. She had 
forgotten all about the horse, when a rough 
voice called out, “ Please, miss, give me a ride.” 

Ruth looked up, startled, into the vicious 
face of a tramp whom she remembered notic- 
ing as she came out of the bank. She thought 
of the money in her possession, and catching 
the whip gave Dollie a sharp cut that made 
the animal leap almost out of the thills, for the 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 


51 


high-spirited horse always resented any such 
treatment. Ruth caught a glimpse of the man 
running after her, but she knew that she could 
soon out-distance him. Dollie demanded all her 
attention, for she had broken into a run. Ruth 
soon understood the truth of Sam’s remark, 
“ She can pull on the reins like all possessed, 
the critter can.” There was no stopping her 
this time, for Dollie was thoroughly aroused ; all 
Ruth could do was to guide the excited animal 
a little as they went flying over the level road. 
Fortunately they met no teams, and Ruth’s good 
strong muscles served her well, so she was able 
to prevent a runaway. 

Sam was watching for her return ; he was 
horrified when he saw Dollie come dashing into 
the yard, barely escaping the doctor’s vehicle 
that stood near the gate. He caught the foam- 
ing horse by the bridle and soon quieted her ; 
then turned his attention to Ruth, who sat cling- 
ing to the reins. 

Why, you ’re as white as a ghost,” lifting 
her out of the buggy. “ So she played you a 
trick, did she ! I ’d have jerked her old jaws 
off ; but you ’ve good pluck !” 

Ruth’s hands were blistered, her wrists lame, 
and when she attempted to walk she thought 
that she had lost her legs. But she dragged 
herself to the house and sank into a chair. 


5 ^ 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


“ She is going to faint,” said Mrs. Hart, put- 
ting her arm around her tenderly. 

But Ruth shook her head and laughed ; she 
was not of the fainting kind. 

“You see, doctor, she was tired out when 
she started. She is dreadfully overworked ; she 
cannot stand this much longer,” said the kind 
woman. 

The doctor looked at Ruth critically. “ No ; 
it is too much for such a young girl. Mrs. Avery 
must get some one to come and stay the rest of 
the time. It may be several weeks yet before 
the old lady can be around to do much of any- 
thing herself.” 

When Ruth could get her breath, and recover 
a little from the dizzy feeling in her head, she 
gave them a thrilling little account of her ride 
home, ending by saying, 

“ Anyway, I Ve got grandma’s money all 
safe. That old tramp would have had a hard 
time getting that away from me,” with a deter- 
mined shake of the head that amused the doc- 
ter. 

“Well, I am glad you did not lose the 
money,” was Mrs. Avery’s comment; “if you 
had only been content to come home the way 
you went nothing would have happened. But 
girls will be girls to the end of the chapter, I 
suppose.” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


53 

That evening, before Mrs. Hart left, she had 
a long talk with Mrs. Avery. “ Why not send 
for Amy to come and stay with you until you 
are well and strong ? Her girls are grown up, 
so she could leave home, and I presume she 
would be glad to come.” Now Amy — Mrs. 
Warden — was Mrs. Avery’s step-daughter, who 
lived in a distant part of the state. 

“ Oh — Amy ! She is not of much account for 
work ; she is too easy-going ; I do n’t call her a 
capable woman, and never did. She is not a 
bit like me. Now Ruth is a chip of the old 
block, I begin to believe.” 

“ Amy is a nice housekeeper and has brought 
up her family well. Then she is good and kind 
and has plenty of money ; I am sure she would 
help you gladly, if she knew just how you were 
situated.” 

I do n’t want any assistance,” said the 
proud old lady ; “ I am independent. But Amy 
is kind ; she would be good to me, and take 
good care of Ruth if she were sick, as I fear 
she may be. Yes; you may write and ask her 
if she can come.” 

Thus it happened that one afternoon not 
long after this the omnibus from the station 
brought to the door a sweet motherly-looking 
woman, with a wealth of pretty gray hair and 
soft brown eyes, that Ruth fell in love with at 


34 A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VIC TOE V. 

the first glance. She had a good-sized trunk ; 
evidently she had come to stay as long as she 
was needed. 

Ruth clapped her hands with delight as she 
realized that another would take from her shoul- 
ders the care and responsibility that had grown 
to be such a heavy burden. But she did not 
imagine what a messenger of love and mercy 
this same dear woman would be to her soul ; 
had she realized this she certainly would have 
felt that they were taking an angel under their 
roof when they welcomed Mrs. Warded to their 
home. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


55 


CHAPTER X. 

Ruth had not seen Mrs. Wardell, or “ Aunt 
Amy,” as she loved to call her from the first, 
since she was a very little girl. She had an 
indistinct but very pleasant impression of her 
father’s half-sister. 

“ Can this be my little Ruth, grown so tall 
and large ?” asked Mrs. Wardell in her sweetly 
musical voice as she came into the house. 
Then taking Ruth’s face between her hands, 
and kissing it over and over, “ Your eyes, dear, 
are just like your father’s, but there is much 
about you that reminds me of your mother. 
Oh, Ruth, I did love your mother; she was a 
blessed woman.” 

This tribute to the sainted mother beloved 
was a ready passport into Ruth Avery’s heart. 
From the first moment she felt that she had 
found a true friend. At bedtime, when Mrs. 
Wardell took her in her arms, big girl as she 
was, and caressed her, Ruth cried with delight. 
It seemed to her poor heart, “ so home-sick for 
mamma,” that it must be that her own dear 
mother had come back to earth. 


jS A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 

“You will be a mother to me; wont you, 
Aunt Amy ?” 

“ Indeed I will. You poor dear child, have 
you been pining for mother-love all these 
years!” 

They were sitting in the kitchen, in the 
dim twilight. To Ruth, with those loving 
arms around her, the room seemed a veritable 
heaven. 

Mrs. Avery, all arranged for the night, real- 
ized already that her step-daughter had great 
capabilities for making one comfortable, if for 
nothing else. Mrs. Ward ell, with the quick 
eye of a born nurse, saw at once many things 
that needed to be done, and did them in a quiet, 
deft way that, was refreshing to the nervous 
woman. 

“You should have sent for me before, mo- 
ther. Ruth has done well, but she could not 
give you necessary attention and do all the 
work.” Mrs. Warded installed herself in the 
little room by her mother, and sent Ruth to her 
own chamber. For the first time since her 
grandmother’s accident she could quietly take 
up her mother’s little Bible without listening 
for the sharp ring or call that would summon 
her down stairs. Her prayer that night was 
full of thanksgiving. 

The next morning when Ruth came down 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. j; 

a little late, refreshed by her long, unbroken 
sleep, she found the breakfast nearly ready. A 
general air of peacefulness seemed to fill the 
house. Ruth thought that never before had 
she seen such a restful expression on her grand- 
mother’s face. Aunt Amy, in her neat morning 
dress and white apron, with her placid face, 
tender eyes, and gentle manners, seemed to 
Ruth like a being from another sphere who had 
dropped down into their habitation. 

“ I did not mean to be so late,” said Ruth, 
after a loving greeting from Aunt Amy. 

“ I intended you should be ; you must sleep 
all you can, and be out in the air, until you get 
the roses back in your cheeks.” 

“ But how did you know where to find every- 
thing ?” 

“Oh, Samuel was ready to tell me all that I 
needed to know — and more,” with a merry twin- 
kle in her eyes. “ Now I will give mother her 
breakfast, then we will have ours. Does the 
man eat with us?” 

“Yes, he does when grandmother is around.” 

“ Then call him, so he can be all ready.” 

“ Now, Sam, you must make yourself as neat 
as possible, for Aunt Amy is very dainty.” 

“ You bet I will ; she ’s one of the jewels, I 
guess.” 

“I’m sure she is,” laughed Ruth. 


S8 A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY, 

When they were seated at table, before 
Sam’s tongue was unloosed, Mrs. Warded bowed 
her head and in a few words thanked God for 
his good gifts. ^‘And we never thank him!" 
thought Ruth. 

This, with Aunt Amy’s gentle dignity, had 
a quieting effect upon Sam ; he had little to say. 
But Mrs. Warded talked cheerily, while her 
sunny smile brightened the very room. Ruth 
thought it a very happy meal. 

After breakfast Mrs. Warded put her arm 
around Ruth. “ Come, dear, we will go into 
mother’s room for morning prayer.” Mrs. 
Avery looked astonished at the proposal but 
she did not object, although she thought of the 
neglected dishes. 

“Get your Bible, Ruth, and you and I will 
do the reading,” and together they read a short, 
beautiful Psalm. Then in a few earnest words 
Mrs. Warded spoke to her Heavenly Father as 
though he were a loved and intimate friend. 
She thanked him for the safety of the night and 
for the light of the morning, 

“ For rest and food and loving care, 

And all that makes the day so fair.” 

She sought his guidance in ad the duties and 
experiences of this new day, and asked him to 
ward off every danger and temptation. Through 
it ad was a boundless trust in God’s infinite love 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 


59 


and in his willingness and ability to perfect in 
each one of their hearts and lives the beautiful 
image of Christ, the Master. 

The short prayer voiced every want and need 
of Ruth’s young heart. To her dying day She 
never forgot that service in her grandmother’s 
room the first morning of Aunt Amy’s stay. 

If Mrs. Warden had not her mother’s “ fac- 
ulty” for work she had a magical way of dis- 
posing of it, without frettings or scoldings, that 
made it only a pleasure to Ruth. She gave the 
rooms a pretty, home-like look by dainty touches 
here and there that Ruth’s beauty-loving eyes 
saw at once and appreciated. It transformed 
even the parlor, that was opened and used daily, 
to Ruth’s great joy. 

Mrs. Warden was constantly devising ways 
of making her mother more comfortable. The 
first day after her arrival she sent Sam to the 
village for a different bed, and before night, 
with his help and that of Peggy, Mrs. Avery 
was transferred to her new resting-place, and 
was greatly delighted with the change. 

“ Aunt Peggy, what do you think of my new 
auntie ?” asked Ruth. 

Oh, she ’s a honey ; but I do n ’t want her to 
catch me doing wrong things : her solemn eyes 
’ud frighten me more than all your granny’s 
scoldin’.” 


do 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


Ruth laughed, then said very earnestly, “ But, 
Peggy, you and I mean to do right. You do try ; 
don’t you?” 

“Yes, child ; but it ’s hard work. Satan, he ’s 
strong and very deceivin’. Old Satan likes to 
make us lie and steal.” 

“ But do n’t you know what I told you about 
asking Jesus to help you? He ’s stronger than 
Satan.” 

“ I believe he is. I do think you ’s right 
’bout that.” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


6i 


CHAPTER XI. 

During the weeks of Mrs. Warden’s stay 
grace was said at every meal and prayer offered 
every morning in Mrs. Avery’s room. Indeed, 
Grandma Avery grew to love the hallowed half- 
hour and no longer regretted the lost time. She 
felt that it brought a blessing upon the day and 
sweet peace to her heart. She decided in her 
own mind, “ When Amy goes I will try to recog- 
nize my God by daily family prayer.” 

Often in the Bible readings Mrs. Ward ell 
questioned Ruth, and she was astonished to find 
how little the girl knew of Bible truth or Bible 
history. “ Do you not read the Bible regular- 
ly ?” she asked one morning when she and Ruth 
were washing the dishes. 

“ No, Aunt Amy. I have tried to, since 
grandma’s accident. I like to read the verses 
in mamma’s Bible that are marked and that I ’m 
sure she used to love. But I know the Com- 
mandments and the Catechism. I could say 
them backward, I do believe, and upside down.” 

Mrs. Warden laughed, as did Ruth. “ They 
are good to know, dear ; but you must not stop 


62 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 


there. You surely study your Sunday-school 
lessons ?” 

“ Oh, yes, when I go ; but, you see, I can’t go 
in bad weather ; grandma will not let me walk, 
and she would think it a sin to send Dollie out 
in the storm. I can’t go to day-school much, in 
the winter.” 

Mrs. Warden saw daily evidences that Ruth 
was not getting the education that she needed, 
and she had already a plan in mind for some- 
thing better for the orphan girl. “ Over the tea- 
cups” many of Ruth’s faults of speech and of 
manner were corrected, but in such a gentle, 
often laughing way that it did not rouse her 
anger nor opposition. Her constant use of the 
adjectives '‘dreadful,” “awful,” “splendid,” and 
of “ have got,” “ which is neither proper nor ele- 
gant,” was Mrs. Wardell’s point of attack one 
morning. Ruth took the kind hints and remem- 
bered them. 

Ruth learned more in some things during 
those weeks spent with her bright, sunny-hearted 
aunt than she had ever learned before in all her 
short life. 

Mrs. Warded often enlivened the work by 
telling of her own daughters — their school and 
home life, or by drawing Ruth out to tell of her 
school and of her young friends, of the things 
she loved to do and of those she “ hated ” to do. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY, 63 

until this wise woman, who “ understood girls,” 
knew just where this one needed loving help 
and guidance. 

But it was the evening hours that Ruth 
enjoyed the most, when, everything done and 
Mrs. Avery dozing, she and her “ dear Aunt 
Amy ” could stroll out in the garden or sit on 
the piazza in the long June twilights. 

Then, with those sweet eyes looking into her 
face, she could tell all her heart-trouble as to a 
dear mother. She hid nothing from those gen- 
tle, true eyes, but told of all her struggles and 
temptations, of her careless habits, “ that are 
such a torment to grandma,” and of her worst 
fault — her fiery temper. 

One evening she told her aunt of the time, 
“ when mamma was living,” when she thought 
she was a Christian ; how wicked and remiss she 
had been since, and how of late she had been 
trying to serve God, but how hard she found it 
to do right and to be patient. 

Mrs. Warden listened with deep interest. 
“ My dear girl,” she exclaimed, drawing Ruth 
close to her heart, “ give up the battle, and let 
your Saviour fight for you. Go back to the sim- 
ple faith and trust of childhood.” 

Give up the battle. Aunt Amy ? Give up, 
and get angry when grandma says and does 
provoking things ?” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY, 


“Yes, dear, give up trying in your own 
strength. When these temptations come, just 
lift your heart to God your Saviour, saying, ‘ Do 
for me what I am too weak to do for myself !’ 
You know you told me of the advice of your 
friend, Annie Stedman, about asking Jesus’ 
help. Not only ask his help, but expect it, and 
leave it for him to do.” 

“ How plain and easy you make it all ; if I 
could only have you with me all the time I 
could be a Christian. You draw out the good in 
me and quiet the naughtiness.” 

Mrs. Warded smiled. “ I suppose that is be- 
cause we love each other. I cannot stay with 
you much longer, but I leave you with a better 
Friend ; One who will stay close by your side 
and One who loves you far better than I do. He 
can help you as I cannot; he can make you 
strong and patient. You must learn to be pa- 
tient with yourself as well as with other people. 
If you fail one day do not be angry with your- 
self, but begin afresh the next day. Remember 
how forbearing Christ is with you, and do not 
be discouraged.” 

The weeks of Mrs. Wardell’s stay were draw- 
ing to an end. Mrs. Avery was no longer a pris- 
oner in her room, but was able to move about 
the house on crutches, and her daughter felt 
that home duties demanded her attention. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 63 

One lovely morning, just before her depar- 
ture, Aunt Amy and Ruth had a delightful 
ride to the village. While Mrs. Warded was 
doing some shopping she sent Ruth to invite 
Annie Stedman to return with them and spend 
the day. 

This was a rare treat for Ruth, a whole day’s 
visit from her loved friend. The day proved to 
be a delight to both young girls. Aunt Amy 
declined Ruth’s assistance in the house, and 
sent them out to wander in the woods and fields 
while she prepared delicious meals for them, 
which were all in readiness when they came in 
tired and hungry. She was delighted to see how 
rosy and bright Ruth looked that evening, and 
Ruth was delighted to see how fond of each 
other Aunt Amy and Annie had become. 

That night, when Ruth went to her room, 
she found on her table a couple of sweet little 
religious books, several story-books and papers, 
and some ribbons and ornaments. It was such 
a happy surprise that she rushed down stairs to 
her grandmother to show her treasures. “ Only 
see, grandma; Aunt Amy knows what girls 
like !” 

“It is all foolishness ; you will spoil her, 
Amy. Those story-books will just turn her head,” 
in the old sharp tone. 

“No, mother,” said Mrs. Warded gently, 
5 


66 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 


“ you are mistaken ; young people must have 
some food of this kind.” 

Grandma Avery softened in a moment. “ Per- 
haps you are right, Amy,” and she examined 
the pretty books with real pleasure. 

“ How changed grandma is,” thought Ruth ; 
“ I believe she is a real, true Christian.” And 
Mrs. Avery was changed, for her wandering feet 
had returned to the long-neglected Saviour. She 
often showed real affection for her daughter and 
for Ruth. 

“ Grandma will love me now, and I shall be 
happy,” said Ruth to her aunt. 

In a few days Mrs. Warded had to leave ; the 
last prayer was offered, the good-byes spoken. 
With tearful eyes Ruth watched the omnibus 
drive away with this loved friend and counsellor. 
But the sunshine was left behind. Aunt Amy 
had opened a new world to our struggling little 
maiden; a world where faith, hope, and love 
made the victory over a fiery temper seem near 
and easy. 

She did not know then that her kind aunt 
had arranged to have her come to them, another 
year, to attend school and have the good influ- 
ences of a refined Christian home. 

After Ruth had watched and waved until 
Mrs. Warded was out of sight she ran up to her 
room to hide her tearful face. There she found 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 67 

some parting gifts from “ dear Aunt Amy a 
wicker rocking-chair, sundry pretty fixings for 
her room, and, best of all, a handsome Bible 
marked with her name ; on a slip of paper tucked 
between the leaves were these words : “ Ruth 
Avery’s guide-book to the heavenly land.” Ruth 
cried over them, but they were happy tears. 

When she came down she found her grand- 
mother looking very sad and disconsolate. She 
put her arms around her neck, kissing her, and 
saying, “ But I will care for you now, dear 
grandma.” 

The undemonstrative old lady clasped the 
girl to her heart, murmuring words of tender 
endearment. Then Ruth went about her work 
singing joyously. Sure of her grandmother’s 
love, and of the love of her Saviour, the world 
looked very bright to her, even if dear Aunt 
Amy ” had departed. 




A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


CHAPTER XII. 

Over a year has passed, and again we find 
Ruth Avery washing the breakfast dishes in 
Grandma Avery’s neat kitchen. She is the 
same Ruth, only grown a little taller, with the 
same flashing black eyes, and brown hair that 
curls as tightly as ever in spite of Mrs. Avery’s 
heroic treatment. “ Crinkle it will,” Ruth often 
says, laughingly, just like mamma’s, only hers 
was soft and silky, and not all of a frizzle like 
mine.” As usual, she is singing or talking to 
herself as she works. 

“ Oh, I ’m so happy, so happy to think that 
to-morrow I ’m going on a long journey ; going 
to see my Aunt Amy, and stay with her a whole 
year. I can hardly wait for the hours to go,” 
glancing up at the old clock. “ How much I 
shall have to tell her, and how many confessions 
to make,” and a sober look clouds the bright 
young face for a moment. “ But she will help 
me, dear blessed Aunt Amy !” breaking out into 
song. 

Mrs. Avery walked into the room and pushed 
Ruth aside. I will wash and you can wipe, so 
we can get through quickly and go up and pack 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. dp 

your trunk. I do not believe in leaving every- 
thing to the last moment.” 

“ Oh, the packing ’s nearly done already.” 

“ It is, is it ? well you ’d better believe that I 
am going to see just what goes into that trunk 
and how it is put in ; you do not know anything 
about careful packing.” Then with a sigh, “ It 
seems to me you feel very happy about leaving 
your old grandmother.” 

“ No, not that exactly,” in some confusion, 
“ but I do want to see Aunt Amy.” 

“Yes, I suppose so, and you will come back 
with your head chuck full of nonsensical no- 
tions. I have been sorry a great many times 
that I ever said you could go. You will be just 
spoiled by all their petting and foolishness. 
The first thing your Aunt Amy will want to do 
will be to rig you out with a lot of hew dresses, 
some of her girls’ toggery perhaps, all made up 
in the latest style. I know how she decks out 
her girls. Now you have clothes good enough 
for any place ; plain, warm, and sensible ; just 
the thing for a child like you, and you must 
wear your own things. You are no pauper ; I 
can get you all that is necessary.” 

“ Why, of course, grandma ; I do n’t want her 
to do any such thing ; my dresses are nice, and 
Aunt Amy has got poor folks enough to clothe 
without me.” 


70 A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 

“Now I am glad to hear you say that. You 
have plenty of my pride and sturdy indepen- 
dence ; I hope you will stick to your point ; be 
a little woman, and not a child carried away with 
everything you see and hear.” 

“ I ’ll try, grandma ; try my very best.” 

After the washing of the dishes followed the 
repacking of the trunk, and before this was fin- 
ished Ruth was thoroughly exasperated. 

“ Now this is all the sheerest nonsense, Ruth 
Avery ; what under the sun are you going to 
do with all this trumpery ?” throwing out little 
packages and boxes. “ And this big old atlas ; 
what on earth is this for?” 

“Oh, grandma, don’t touch my treasures,” 
Ruth cried. 

“ Now, Ruth, you are not going to have the 
space filled up with such a lot of truck,” con- 
tinuing the process of casting out things contra- 
band. 

Ruth saw with dismay that the precious work 
of the summer was on the verge of destruction — 
the pressed flowers, ferns, and brilliant autumn 
leaves ; the pretty red berries, dried grasses, bits 
of rare moss, and, choicest of all, some exquisite- 
ly beautiful little birds’ eggs that she had found 
in a forsaken nest. She had gathered and pre- 
pared them with such delight “for dear Aunt 
Amy, who loves them just as I do, and has noth- 


4 LITTLE MAIDEN S VICTORY. 


71 


ing of the kind around her city home.” And 
now to lose them ! 

“ And if here is not a lot of stones ! Why, 
child, are you crazy ?” taking out some lovely 
pebbles and pieces of curious rock. “ Now I ’ll 
pack this trunk without all this stuff.” 

Ruth’s eyes flashed ; the color flamed into 
her face, and she stamped her foot furiously, a 
thing she had not done in months. “ You shall 
not take them out ! I will carry them ! You are 
mean and cruel.” The prayer marked out by 
Aunt Amy, “Set a watch before my mouth, 
keep the door of my lips,” was not offered ; the 
door-keeping was forgotten, and out came the 
wicked, angry words. Then in her excitement 
she burst out crying. 

“ Why, Ruth ! Do not be a baby. What do 
you intend to do with all this trumpery? I 
should really like to know.” 

“ It ’s all for Aunt Amy ; it ’s all I can give 
her. She loves these woodsy things. I thought 
we ’d have such fun looking at them and talking 
about them-; she can tell me so many interest- 
ing things about them,” sobbed Ruth. 

“ Why, if you feel so bad about it,” said Mrs. 
Avery more gently, “ you can take them ; I can 
find places. But they will want better packing 
than yours or they will be ground to powder 
before the end of the journey— unless it is the 


72 A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VIC TOE V. 

stones,” with a laugh. “ I will fix them all right. 
Now bring me all your things and watch me 
pack them, so you will know how to put them in 
when you come home. For your aunt can’t 
show you ; she is not of the practical kind. I 
want you to help me with ever so many things 
to-day. You will be gone a year and I shall 
miss your help,” with another sigh. “ I fear 
that girl who is coming will not be of much ac- 
count.” 

“ Perhaps I ought not to go, grandma ; I ’m 
sorry I got so angry,” very penitently. 

“ I am sorry, too ; I hope you will learn 
in time. I suppose it is best for you to go ; 
Amy can help you in many ways where I can- 
not. But do take good care of your clothes 
and do not get into any of your old careless 
ways. I think in that respect you are much im- 
proved.” 

Before the packing was finished Ruth’s spir- 
its returned, although she came near another 
outburst when Mrs. Avery asked rather spiteful- 
ly, What do you want of two Bibles ? One is 
enough, I should think.” 

But she managed to reply quite gently, “ I 
want my own, that Aunt Amy gave me, and 
I want mamma’s because it is full of her 
marks.” 

As they were leaving the room Ruth noticed 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTOR V, 73 

how sad and sober Mrs. Avery’s face looked. 
She was tempted to say, “ I will not leave you ; 
I am sorry to go,” but how could she when her 
very heart leaped for joy at the thought of get- 
ting away, and of being with her loved aunt in 
her beautiful home ! 


14 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VIC TOE V, 


CHAPTER XIII. 

It had been a hard, trying year for this un- 
disciplined little maiden. When Mrs. Avery 
fully recovered the use of her limbs and was 
able to look after the ways of her own house- 
hold she found much to vex her neat, orderly 
soul. Many things had been neglected or for- 
gotten. Ruth, Peggy and even Sam all came 
in for a share of her condemnation. Nothing 
had been done quite right. With returning 
strength came back the old fire and energy ; 
again she became hard and exacting. Pantry 
and closet must be ferreted out ; the house must 
have a thorough “going over,” and in every 
room many things were wrong, to say nothing of 
garret and cellar. 

“Your granny’s got a mighty faculty for 
work, she has,” remarked Peggy. “ She ’s goin’ 
to make up for lost time. I did s’pose she ’d 
mostly done drivin’ so hard, but she ’s at it again 
wuss ’an ever, an’ jist as ’zasperatin’ as ever, she 
is.” Ruth could not but agree with Peggy’s 
verdict. 

At first she struggled for patience, and prayed 
daily— and hourly, it seemed to her, some days ; 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 


75 


she tried to comfort herself by recalling her 
grandmother’s words of affection during her ill- 
ness. During the fall there was so much hard 
work to be done that school days were few, and 
through the winter storms often kept Ruth at 
home. She grew discouraged and petulant 
under constant fault-finding. Was it strange 
that she longed for Aunt Amy, and for the hap- 
py home where it would be so easy to be gentle, 
patient, and good-tempered? Alas! she found 
that the victory over herself was not yet won ; 
that it was a harder battle than it seemed as she 
sat with her beloved aunt in the twilight and 
talked of God’s love and care. Then his service 
looked so easy and inviting. 

There was one little bright spot in each day : 
Mrs. Avery kept up the family prayer that Mrs. 
Warden had established. A very hurried service 
it was sometimes, when there was much to be 
done, but often the softness and gentleness — 
the lovableness — of those days of sickness were 
in Mrs. Avery’s voice and words ; then Ruth 
felt like kissing her grandmother and forgiving 
the sharpness of her tongue. To church they 
went, too, every pleasant Sabbath, much to Sam’s 
discomfiture, for Sundays is rest time for poor 
beasts,” he often said. But when Mrs. Avery 
spoke in her decided way, “ Sam, harness up 
Dollie,” he knew that protest was useless. 


76 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY.' 


One evening early in October Ruth found 
herself in the delightful home of Mrs. Wardell — 
the “ paradise ” of which she had so often 
dreamed. Early that morning she had said her 
laughing good-byes to Sam, Peggy, and Dollie, 
and a tender one at the station to dear Annie 
Stedman, and started on her long journey under 
the care of a kind friend. The day had been 
full of pleasant novelty, as the cars sped along 
through a new and beautiful country. Still the 
remembrance of her grandmother’s tearful face 
and her loving words at parting gave her an 
occasional heartache. One thing that Mrs. Ave- 
ry had said startled her every time she recalled 
it, and dampened her enthusiasm over the scen- 
ery for a few moments. Putting her hand on 
Ruth’s shoulder she said very tenderly, but ear- 
nestly, “ I do hope that your Aunt Amy can help 
you to overcome that temper of yours ; it worries 
me. It is the one thing that makes me willing 
to have you go. But do not depend upon her 
alone ; you need God’s aid.” 

It was the first time Mrs. Avery had ever 
spoken to her of this fault ; it hurt and fright- 
ened her. “ Am I growing worse ?” she asked 
herself. Then she would feel indignant, and 
excuse herself : “ Grandma’s to blame, too, she is 
so ‘ ’zasperatin’,’ as Aunt Peggy says ; it will all 
come right when I ’m with dear Aunt Amy.” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 77 

She was welcomed with delight by Mrs. War- 
dell and her family, and taken into their hearts 
and home. She did not feel like a stranger 
among them, she had heard her aunt speak of 
them all so often. The daughters — May and 
Belle — two lovely young ladies almost ready to 
graduate, won her heart at once by their sweet 
gentle manners. And when Uncle James War- 
dell, in the evening prayer, thanked God for her 
safe arrival, and asked his blessing most earnest- 
ly upon “ the dear little maiden who has come to 
abide under our roof,” her heart went out to him 
with new affection. 

This pretty house with its artistic but simple 
furnishings, the supper table with its dainty ap- 
pointments and Aunt Amy’s sweet face behind 
the tea-urn, seemed like a new world to Ruth, 
after her plain surroundings. The bright, beau- 
ty-loving eyes took it all in with delight : books, 
pictures and — best of all — a piano. Bui the great 
charm of that home was the general air of peace 
and joy that seemed a very part of the dwelling 
itself, and which she breathed in the moment 
she entered. It was a home in the truest, holiest 
sense of the word. 

Mrs. Warden proposed that Ruth retire early. 
When they were alone in the pretty little room 
designed for Ruth she threw her arms around 
her aunt’s neck exclaiming, “Oh, dear Aunt 


78 A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 

Amy, I ’m so glad to see you ; so glad ! I cannot 
tell you how glad. Am I too big to sit in your 
lap, as I used to a year ago ?” 

“ No, dear, no,” drawing her to her mother- 
ly breast. “ And I am just as glad to see my 
darling Ruth.; she seems like one of my own 
daughters.” 

The petting and the tender, loving words 
completely upset Ruth ; she burst into tears, the 
first she had shed that day, but they were joyful 
ones. “ Poor starved little heart, so hungry for 
a little love,” thought Mrs. Wardell, fondling 
and quieting her. Soon Ruth’s eyes were shin- 
ing again, and her tongue loosened to tell all 
that was on her mind. 

“ Oh, Aunt Amy, I Ve so much to tell you ; 
so many sorry confessions to make !” 

“I dare say, dear, but not to-night. You have 
had a long journey and are weary and excited. 
You must go to bed now and rest. There are 
many long days coming when you and I can 
talk to our hearts’ content.” 

Soon this very tired and very happy girl 
was fast asleep and dreaming of a beautiful 
place she thought was heaven, but the angel 
faces were wondrously like the faces of the 
family in the room below, just then talking 
lovingly of its new member. ‘‘ Why, mamma, 
you did not tell us how pretty she was,” said 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. yg 

Belle ; “ her eyes are so bright, and her brown 
curly hair so lovely. If she were becomingly 
dressed she would be a beauty.” 

“Yes, her dress is a little antiquated, but that 
can soon be changed ; mother has some prim 
ideas about dressing young girls,” said Mrs. 
Warden. 

“ And she is smart,” broke in May, “ I am sure. 
She said some keen things about her journey ; 
evidently her eyes had been wide open all the 
way. Then how much at home she seems with 
us all. Oh, we shall love her.” 

“ And spoil her, perhaps,” interrupted Mr. 
Warden. 

“ No,” said his wife. “ I do not think that 
love can spoil Ruth. I think it will only make 
her blossom out beautifully.” 


8o 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTOR Y. 


CHAPTER XIV. 

Ruth awoke the next morning with a start, 
and as she saw the sunshine exclaimed, “ It 
must be late ; how grandma will scold !” Then 
as her eyes opened wider she sprang out of 
bed with a little shout. “ Why, I ’m in Aunt 
Amy’s lovely home and this is my pretty room 
that she has fixed all up for me. Oh, I’m so 
glad!” throwing up her hands with a gesture 
of delight. Then she walked around the room, 
examining all its dainty arrangements, its furni- 
ture— all white and gilt. “ Oh, Aunt Amy knew 
just what would suit me. How good and kind 
she is !” 

She did love pretty things — as all girls do, or 
should ; if they do not there is something wrong 
in their make-up or the depressing circumstan- 
ces of their lives have crowded out this natural 
love of the beautiful. To Ruth Avery that morn- 
ing her charming little room seemed a veritable 
fairy bower. Mrs. Warded had evidently been 
in, for the dresses were taken from the trunk and 
hung in the closet. Nothing else had been dis- 
turbed excepting her Bible, which lay on a small 
table beside a vase of fragrant flowers. At the 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 8i 

sight of it she dropped upon her knees and 
thanked God for all his goodness. She washed 
and dressed herself neatly, for she had very tidy 
habits, due to her grandmother's persistent train- 
ing. She had improved wonderfully in careful- 
ness and thoughtfulness under the discipline 
of the past year, as Mrs. Warded soon discov- 
ered. 

Ruth was just ready to leave her room when 
Aunt Amy tapped softly at her door and then 
came in with a joyful “ Good-morning.” “ How 
delightful it is to see you. Aunt Amy,” throw- 
ing her arms around her aunt, and looking 
fondly into the sweet placid face set in its halo 
of gray curls ; “your face is just like sunshine.” 

“ I am glad, dear, if that is so ; the children 
of the Heavenly King should always shine. I 
did not call you, for you needed the sleep. Come 
now and have some breakfast. The girls and 
Harry have gone to school, and your uncle has 
to go early to his business.” 

Ruth enjoyed the delicious meal — which she 
had not helped to cook — with a healthy girl’s 
good appetite. Mrs. Warded sat by, sipping 
a cup of coffee and talking in her own lovely 
way, occasionally throwing in some gentle hints 
about table-manners and etiquette which Ruth 
was quick to take. “Why is it,” she queried 
silently, “ that Aunt Amy’s advice, or even re- 
6 


82 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VIC TOE V. 


proof, never angers me, when often a word from 
Grandma Avery makes me mad ?” She did not 
try to answer the puzzling question that just 
flitted through her mind, but sat and sunned 
herself in Aunt Amy’s sweet smile, that was 
brighter to her than the sunlight that flooded 
the pleasant dining-room. 

Mrs. Warden said that she did not think 
Ruth had better commence school for a week 
or so, thus giving her opportunity to get ac- 
quainted and accustomed to her new surround- 
ings. “ And who is this Harry I saw at the 
tea-table last evening?” asked Ruth. “ He does 
not seem to belong to any of you.” 

Mrs. Warden laughed. “ No, he is different, 
but he is a Warded. He is a friendless orphan 
boy whose father was a distant relation. He 
was alone in the world, with no kind grand- 
mother to take him in, and a few months ago 
we offered him a home with us.” 

“ Is he nice. Aunt Amy ?” with a little dis- 
agreeable feeling as she thought of the laugh- 
ing eyes that seemed to look mockingly at her 
across the supper-table. 

“Yes,” with a smile, “ as boys go ; but we have 
never been accustomed to boys and he seems 
very noisy and untamed. He is very bright, 
and running over with fun ; he has plenty of 
faults, but he is warm-hearted and grateful. He 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY, 8^ 

is about a year older that you are. I hope you 
will be good friends ; you can help him in many 
ways.” 

Then after breakfast Mrs. Warded led Ruth 
through the house, showing her the different 
apartments. “ Oh, Aunt Amy, it is all so pret- 
ty ! The girls’ rooms are lovely and the air is 
so sweet, and so soft and warm,” for growing 
plants and flowers were in many of the windows 
and the whole building was heated by steam. 
But when they came to Ruth’s own sung little 
retreat she exclaimed delightedly, “ I do be- 
lieve this is the best of all, with its lovely white 
furniture ! I hope I shall not soil it by my care- 
lessness.” 

“ Mary has arranged it for you this morning, 
but generally you will do this part yourself.” 

“ Of course. Aunt Amy ; it will be just fun to 
keep such a room in spick-and-span array.” 

“ I do not doubt that you will keep it in 
the nicest kind of order, for you have more tidy 
habits than most girls of your age ; for which 
you may thank your good Grandma Avery.” 

“ But what if I should spill ink on this dainty 
stand ! Grandma says I ’m always having ‘ ink- 
scrapes.’ It is the most provoking stuff ; always 
leaving its black tracks just where you don’t 
want them.” 

“ Oh, you must be very careful,” laughed 


84 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTOR V. 


Mrs. Warden, for Ruth’s face had such a look of 
consternation, at the very thought, that it was 
comical. 

Then the trunk had to be unpacked, and 
Mrs. Warded helped Ruth arrange her under- 
clothing in the little white bureau. “ I can tell 
you. Aunt Amy, I have spent some doleful 
hours sewing on those things! but I had to 
make them myself or stay at home. ‘ Oh, for a 
sewing-machine !’ I used to sigh.” 

Well, I have one, Ruth, and you shall be 
taught its mysteries, so you can make clothing 
enough to last you for years,” giving the young 
girl’s rosy cheeks a pinch. 

When they came to the woodsy treasures — 
which were intact, thanks to Mrs. Avery’s care — 
Mrs. Warden’s unfeigned interest and delight 
gave Ruth unbounded pleasure. 

“ Why, Ruth, dear child, how did you ever 
preserve these flowers, ferns and leaves so beau- 
tifully ? They are lovely ; how the girls will 
enjoy them, and want to paint them on china 1” 

“ Why, Aunt Amy, getting these things to- 
gether has been my only fun all summer but 
she did not tell how near they came to being 
left behind. Neither did she tell just then how 
angry she had been with her grandmother over 
these frail things, but the remembrance gave 
her a moment’s pang. She was almost afraid to 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 85 

open the box of birds’ eggs, but she found them 
perfect, for Mrs. Avery had packed them care- 
fully in cotton. 

“ Oh, how exquisite ! Why, Ruth, you could 
not have brought me anything that would give 
me more delight than these tokens from woods 
and fields.” Even the bits of moss and the de- 
spised “ rocks ” were prized, and drew out from 
Mrs. Warden some very interesting information, 
as Ruth was certain they would. 

Ruth and her aunt were alike in their love 
for the country and in their keen zest for na- 
ture and all its wonderful products. Mrs. War- 
dell was one who found homilies in stones and 
running brooks ; so they spent a delightful and 
profitable hour or more over Ruth’s “treas- 
ures.” All winter she had the pleasure of see- 
ing many of these pretty specimens — tastefully 
arranged in handsome vases by her cousins — a 
source of enjoyment to the household and a 
stimulus to many entertaining conversations ; 
while many of the leaves and ferns — and some 
of the ferns were rare ones — were utilized by 
May and Belle in their painting. 

The lunch bell interrupted the long session, 
and Ruth went bounding down stairs with a 
happier heart than she had carried for months. 


86 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VIC TOE V. 


CHAPTER XV. 

That evening after going to bed, Mrs. War- 
dell coming to her room to say good-night, 
Ruth opened her heart to this loving, congenial 
friend and counsellor, telling of all the strug- 
gles, temptations and failures of the past year. 
‘‘ Oh, Aunt Amy, I got so discouraged the last of 
the time that I was sure I could not be a Chris- 
tian ; I just stopped praying and reading my 
Bible ; it did n’t seem to be of any use, for every 
day I got angry in spite of myself. Seems to 
me grandma never was so provoking as she has 
been lately, or else I ’m worse. I began to think 
it was all a mistake about her loving me one 
bit; but when I came away she looked very sad, 
and she spoke many kind words to me. 

“ Now, Aunt Amy, what am I to do? My 
temper ’s no better. I think it is worse than 
ever. Is it my fault, or grandma’s ?” 

Mrs. Warden laid her head on Ruth’s pillow 
and put her arm tenderly around the young girl. 
“ My dear child, I am so sorry you gave up pray- 
ing and reading your Bible. I expected you 
would fail a great many times, but I did not 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 87 

expect this. I thought you had more faith in 
God’s power and willingness to help you.” 

“ I thought so, too, Aunt Amy, when 5^ou left 
me ; but when I was there all alone, and grand- 
ma got so hard and snappish, my faith did n’t 
seem of much account. I tried so many times, 
but failed so often, that even Peggy would say, 
‘Whar’s that ligion you thought you got?’ 
Then I ’d rush to my room and cry. After a 
while I did n’t care. When I came away grand- 
ma said she hoped you and God would help 
me get the better of my temper ; she never 
said such a thing as that to me before in all 
my life. 

I did n’t go to school much, so did not see 
much of Annie Stedman. Often I did n’t stay 
to Sunday-school, for grandma went to church 
and wanted me to ride home with her, so I had 
no help.” 

“No help? I see, my dear Ruth. Satan was 
not going to let you get the victory over such a 
fault without a fierce battle. When you found 
you could not cope with him you just retreated 
and he had the field, instead of trusting the dear 
Saviour to fight for you and win the day. My 
poor little lambkin, what could you do with your 
puny strength ? I can see how hard it has all 
been for you, and I am very sorry, but perhaps 
you have learned the bitter lesson of your own 


SS A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTOR'/, 

weakness ; now you must learn the glorious one 
of God’s strength.” 

With loving words of encouragement and 
hope she urged Ruth to forget all the sad past 
but its teachings — and to begin anew, keeping 
daily near to Jesus, where his helping hand 
could be reached at any moment. In her heart 
Mrs. Warded thought that her mother’s unwise 
treatment was responsible, in some measure, for 
Ruth’s failures ; she also thought that Ruth’s 
judgment of herself was too severe, for she had 
never seen the child in one of her storms of pas- 
sion and supposed that her fault was only the 
hasty impatience of a high-spirited girl. But 
Ruth Avery knew herself better than did this 
charitable, loving aunt. 

This first week of Ruth’s stay in her “ para- 
dise ” was one long delight ; there were vSo 
many things new and wonderful to be enjoyed. 
The days were spent with Mrs. Warded, seeing 

the sights of the beautiful city of R , the 

evenings were made charming by music, read- 
ing and pictures, etherealized by the atmos- 
phere of love and peace that filled this happy 
Christian home. How barren, cold and com- 
fortless looked the old life, which already began 
to seem far in the past. “How easy to be good 
in such a lovely place,” was often her thought ; 
her morning and evening prayers were one 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 89 

thanksgiving ; a true and earnest purpose to be 
a faithful child of the heavenly Father filled her 
heart ; penitently and earnestly she sought par- 
don for the past and strength for the future. 

One morning, the latter part of the week, 
Mrs. Warden came to Ruth’s room to look over 
her rather scanty wardrobe. Already she had 
purchased a winter hat and cloak for Sunday 
wear at Mrs. Avery’s request, who had written 
a note inclosing a small check for the purpose ; 
to this Mrs. Warded had added a little, un- 
known to Ruth, that she might get nice, sub- 
stantial, yet tasty articles. 

“Well, Ruth dear, I see that you will need 
a couple of new dresses, and these old ones will 
need a little altering and modernizing.” 

Ruth’s face grew scarlet ; her grandmother’s 
words of advice and command flashed into her 
mind. “ Aunt Amy, you have used all the 
money grandma sent ; have n’t you ?” 

“ Yes, dear, but I shall be glad to get you 
anything you need.” 

“ Grandma says I ’m not a pauper ; she can 
get me clothes. You have got — I mean, you 
have ways enough for all your money.” 

“ That is foolish talk, Ruth.” 

“Aren’t my dresses good enough for any 
place? Grandma says they are.” 

“ I suppose they are, Ruth ; they are of good 


po A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 

quality and sensible, but not quite the thing 
for a young girl ; they could be altered a little 
so as to make them tasteful and pretty.. You 
know, Ruth, you are in the city now, and things 
are different from the country.” 

“ Aunt Amy, I ’m nothing but a little girl. 
I don’t want all the — ” toggery, she almost 
said — “ nice things that your daughters have, 
for they are young ladies. I like my own clothes 
and I ’d rather wear them just as they are. I 
don’t want to be dressed up like a doll.” 

Mrs. Warden looked into the flushed, excited 
face and smiled. 

“Well, Miss Independence, if you feel that 
way we will not do anything about it just at 
present.” Then more soberly, “You may change 
your mind later on ; if you do, let me know.” 

The next week Ruth commenced school, and 
was soon intensely interested in her studies. 
As Mrs. Warden’s niece she was welcomed by 
teachers and scholars. She had to enter a grade 
where the pupils were a little younger than 
herself, but her quickness and brightness soon 
won her favor with her teachers and promised 
speedy promotion. Her life and fun, her read- 
iness to help her roommates in their lessons or 
their play, soon made her popular with them ; 
being older that the others she soon become a 
leader and an authority in any little contro- 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY, 


9 ^ 


versies. The drawing-lessons were her delight, 
and she showed real talent in this direction. 
Her music, too, she enjoyed, for May had com- 
menced teaching her out of school hours, al- 
though, as she said, her fingers were as “ stiff as 
pokers.” 

“ But your voice is not,” laughed May ; “ that 
is very sweet and flexible, and the fingers will 
soon grow limber.” 

“ How bright she is!” said May to her mo- 
ther ; “ with none of the shyness and awkward- 
ness you might expect from a girl brought up 
in an isolated country place. But, mamma, do 
dress her up a little ; she looks as antiquated as 
a little old woman.” 

Mrs. Warden laughed. “ I know it. All in 
good time. She says she does not want to be 
‘ dressed up like a doll.’ She has a mind of her 
own and a will of her own — a stronger one than 
I supposed.” 

“Yes, I have found that out ; she is a charac- 
ter, and will make a splendid woman.” 

“ I think she will, if she only seeks heavenly 
guidance.” 

But Ruth herself did not give her dress a 
thought ; she was so happy that her face fairly 
shone. “ My being here with you all seems 
like a beautiful dream, too good to be true,” 
she declared to her aunt. 


92 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 


CHAPTER XVI. 

There was only one member of that sweet 
Christian household that in a short time Ruth 
did not love, even to the servants: Mary, the 
ladylike dining-room girl, and Annie, the kind- 
hearted cook. That unfortunate person was 
Harry Wardell. “ I do n’t like him ; I ’m afraid 
I never shall,” she confided to her aunt. “ His 
laughing eyes always seem to be making fun of 
me. I do n’t care if he does, but I do think he 
is a mean kind of a boy.” 

“ Ruth, dear, you must remember that he is 
a poor orphan boy and has had no gentle loving 
training.” Ruth did try to follow her aunt’s 
advice and “ remember.” 

One day she met him in the hall and he 
caught hold of her sleeve, which was small and 
old-fashioned. “ Seems to me stuff must have 
been scarce when those sleeves were made. 
Guess that dress came out of the ark — one your 
grandmother used to wear when she was a 
girl!” with a provoking laugh. 

Ruth was furious in a moment and com- 
pletely thrown off her guard ; her eyes flashed. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. gj 

“ It ’s none of your business what kind of dresses 
I wear, nor where they came from.” 

Now, now, don ’t get mad nor nothing ; I 
only asked a civil question,” still laughing. 

“You are the meanest boy I ever saw in all 
my life ! Do n’t you dare to touch me again !” 

“ Am I though ? Now I think you ’d be 
awful nice if you were n’t so peppery. Peppery 
Ruth I ’m going to call you. Like the name?” 
he chuckled, and with this parting shot he dis- 
appeared out of a back door. 

Ruth was angry in the regular old-fashioned 
way ; as she had not been since she came to her 
“paradise,” and as she did not suppose it was 
possible for her to be in that peaceful home. 
She rushed to her room, frightened, ashamed, 
and very indignant. On the stairs she met 
Mrs. Warded. “What is it, dear? What is 
the matter?” 

She clung to her aunt and drew her into the 
room. “ Oh, Aunt Amy, that awful boy ; he is 
so rude and so provoking !” 

“You must not mind him, dear; he does 
not know any better ; he does not mean to be 
unkind.” 

“ But, Aunt Amy, he laughed at my sleeves, 
and asked if my dress came out of the ark, and 
if it were one my grandmother used to wear.” 
Mrs. Warded could not restrain a smile, “ And 


94 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VIC TOE V. 


he called me names,” dropping her eyes in con- 
fusion. 

“ What did he call you, Ruth ?” very soberly. 

“ ‘ Peppery Ruth,’ ” and her foot came down 
with an indignant stamp. 

“ Well, my dear child, it was rude ; but you 
must not mind Harry ; boys do love to tease, 
and it seems to be born in this one. The only 
way for you is not to mind him. As soon as 
he finds that you do not care he will stop it. 
Where is my brave, independent girl?” 

“ But oh, auntie, he made so angry ; that is 
the worst part.” 

“ Would you like me to tell him that you 
have a hasty temper, and that he must be care- 
ful about provoking you ?” 

“ Oh no, no, I should not like that.” 

“ Then how can I help you, Ruth ?” 

“ Oh dear !” sobbed Ruth, “ I thought I was 
so safe here.” 

The trouble comes from within, my child. 
Wherever you go you will find things to vex 
and anger you. The only way is to lift up your 
heart to Jesus for help.” 

“ But, Aunt Amy, it came so suddenly ; 
before I thought I was all in a blaze.” 

The tears started in Mrs. Wardell’s eyes and 
she drew Ruth to her. “ I fear my poor child 
has more to contend with than I supposed ; but 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


95 

she must not be discouraged ; the victory will 
soon be gained, for she has God’s promise.” 
Tenderly and lovingly she comforted and quiet- 
ed her, saying smilingly as she left the room, 
“ Look upon Harry as your one trial here, and 
pray for him as well as for yourself. We soon 
learn to like those for whom we pray. And 
be on guard ; ‘ watch and pray ’ constantly.” 

This was the beginning of trouble for poor 
Ruth. Harry had discovered how explosive 
she was, and he could not resist the inclination 
to apply the match whenever the opportunity 
offered, tormenting her with a persistent mis- 
chievousness that was almost malicious. Some- 
times he would take up the pepper-box and give 
a sly glance at her across the table : she would 
feel the blood mounting to her very hair as she 
thought of “ Peppery Ruth.” 

Mrs. Warden suspected how things were 
going, but she hoped that Ruth could win her 
own battle without any of her interference, and 
Ruth did “ watch and pray.” Often she could 
pass him without paying the least attention to 
his teasing remarks, but sometimes there was an 
independent toss of the curly head that seemed 
to amuse Harry more than any sharp retort 
could have done. 

“ How fine we do look in our Sunday-school 
rig !” he exclaimed one morning, as Ruth stood 


q6 a little MAIDEN'S VICTORY, 

in the hall, all ready for church, waiting for her 
cousins. “ Now that ’s genuine citified ; that ’s 
what I call stunning. Did n’t buy that hat and 
cloak in your country store, I bet.” 

Ruth had come from her room with one par- 
ticular verse of her Sunday-school lesson fresh 
in her mind— “Bear ye one another’s burdens, 
and so fulfil the law of Christ.” “ Not only the 
sorrows and troubles of others, but their faults 
and failings we are to help them to bear,” was 
one of the teachings drawn from this verse in 
her quarterly. 

“ There is no one here,” she thought, “ that I 
can help ; no one here has any troubles, no one 
here has any special faults and failings, unless it 
is Harry, and he has plenty, mercy knows ! I 
must try to help him.” But the irritating words 
put all her good resolutions out of mind. “ How 
rude you are ! Pity you had not been brought 
up in the country too, to learn some manners.” 

“ Manners? country manners ? I know a girl 
who forgets to eat with her fork about half the 
time. Guess she was brought up — or growed — 
in the woods,” with his rollicking but provoking 
laugh. 

This touched Ruth on a sensitive spot, for 
she had found that her table manners had been 
sadly neglected in her grandmother’s teaching. 
Her face grew very red, and the sweet, gentle 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. gy 

expression faded out from her flashing eyes. 
“ Indeed ! And I know a boy who crowds his 
mouth so full at the table that he can’t speak ; 
acts as though he were afraid he would not get 
his share. I overheard a gentleman I know 
asking him the other day at dinner — ‘ Are you 
fighting fire?’ ” 

This was Harry’s turn to grow red in the 
face : he looked down in awkward embarrass- 
ment. It was the first time Ruth had noticed 
any such symptoms in him ; she regretted her 
sharp words when she noticed his confusion. 
“ He has not had even a grandmother’s teach- 
ings,” she thought. But just then her cousins 
appeared, and she went out with them sorry, 
ashamed, and lifting a prayer to Jesus to take 
all the angry feelings out of her heart. 

That afternoon Mrs. Wardell, who had heard 
the war of words between the two, took Harry 
severely to task. “You are rude and unkind to 
Ruth, and I will not have it any longer ; this 
must come to an end.” 

“ Why, I do n’t mean any harm. Aunt Amy,” 
as he was privileged to call her ; “ she ’s so 
spunky I can’t help it. You don’t know any- 
thing about it ; why, the sparks fly out of those 
black eyes of hers just like an electric battery. 
Oh, it’s such fun, I can’t help touching ’em 
off,” laughing at the thought. 

7 


g8 A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 

Mrs. Warden looked very sober. “‘Such 
fun,’ to make another sin ! Is that your idea of 
fun, Harry? Do you know that we are account- 
able for the sins we lead others to commit and 
for the unhappiness we may cause them?” 

Then Harry looked sober too, but warded off 
the questions by saying, “ She can fight her own 
battles ; she gives back as good as I send every 
time. She ’s a sharp one ; I love to provoke her 
speeches ; she can cut worse than I do — and she 
means it too!” thinking of the morning. 

“ Harry, Ruth is striving to serve Jesus ; she 
wants to be his child and get the mastery over 
her temper ; do you want to help, or to hinder 
her ?” 

“ Oh, I do n’t know : she must look out for 
herself. That ’s what I have to do. It ’s all fun, 
anyway. Girls are so silly.” 

But after a long, faithful conversation Mrs. 
Warden succeeded in touching the heart and 
awakening the latent manliness and nobleness 
of the boy. He gave his word of promise that 
he would cease teasing Ruth, “ just as far as I 
possibly can.” This conditional promise was 
enough, for Mrs. Wardell, knowing Harry as she 
did, felt sure it would be kept. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


99 


CHAPTER XVII. 

While Mrs. Wardell was striving to convince 
the really kind-hearted Harry of the evil he was 
doing, Ruth, in her room, was undergoing a sift- 
ing process, bringing herself to judgment and 
condemning herself without much mercy. It 
seemed to her that she had never realized as 
she did that Sunday afternoon the sin of yield- 
ing to her hasty temper. “And how foolish I 
am,” she said aloud, “to let Harry’s teasing 
words make me so angry. I say such sharp 
things back. It was very tantalizing in me to 
say what I did about his eating. Of course boys 
eat more than girls, and faster ; grandma used 
to say ' boys’ stomachs are bottomless pits.’ ” 

She thought of his shamefaced expression 
when she twitted him about' Mr. Wardell’s re- 
proof that she happened to hear at the table. 
“ He never said anything quite so mean as that 
to me.” She sat thinking for some time very 
seriously, then jumping up and clapping her 
hands she exclaimed, “ I know what I ’m going 
to do : I ’ll make friends with Harry ; I ’ll just 
ask him to forgive me for what I said this morn- 
ing.” 


100 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


God alone knew what a victory over self this 
decision was for the proud, high-spirited girl ; a 
little maiden’s victory, but just as hard to win, 
and just as important in the Master’s sight, as 
that of the oldest man or woman living. 

With Ruth, to decide was to do. She came 
down stairs with a hop, a skip and a jump, her 
face shining with her new resolution, and sing- 
ing a little hymn she had learned in Sunday- 
school years before : 

“ Never lose the golden rule ; 

Keep it still in view.” 

Mrs. Warden and Harry had just finished their 
conversation, and she was leaving the pleas- 
ant sitting-room. “ How bright you look!” giv- 
ing Ruth’s cheek a soft pat as she passed. Ruth 
looked around and saw no one but Harry, sitting 
by the window. 

“ Now ’s my time,” she thought ; then a whis- 
per in her ear : “ Do n’t you do it ; he ’s the 
one to apologize to you ; he ’s been abusing 
you ever since you came to the house ; you 
have n’t done anything.” But she knew where 
the whisper came from, and closing her ears 
against it walked straight across the room and 
said, “ Harry, I ’m sorry I spoke to you as I 
did this morning; it was cruel in me. You 
must forgive me.” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


101 


Harry looked up in perfect amazement; it 
seemed to almost take away his power of speech. 
“ I declare for it,” he exclaimed at last, “ you 're 
a brick : I could n’t do such a plucky thing. I 
guess I ’d better ask your pardon, after all the 
mean things I ’ve said, over and over.” 

“ They ’ve not been exactly pleasant ; but 
now let’s be friends; ‘let by-gones be by- 
gones.’ ” 

“Very well; I’d like to. I’ll promise not 
to bother you any more if you ’ll forget all the 
contemptible things I ’ve said. As Aunt Amy 
says, I would n’t ‘ dare nag a boy of my own 
size as I do you ;’ and no more I would, for he 
might whale me ; she says I ’m a ‘ coward ’ 
if I ’m rude to a girl and a stranger.” 

“We ought to be friends, Harry : you ’ve no 
mother and I ’ve none.” 

A shadow crossed the boy’s face, “That’s 
so ; let ’s make a compact to help each other. 
Only you mustn’t be vexed if I laugh some-, 
times ; I can’t help that ; but we ’ll be pals, and 
have lots of fun,” holding out his hand. 

Ruth was rather shocked at the “pals ’’but 
she shook the offered hand heartily, then went 
over to the piano to pick out the air she had 
been singing. That evening she told her aunt 
of the “ compact.” “ That is my brave true girl 
come back ; I ’m very glad,” said her aunt. 


103 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


That was the beginning of a better state of 
feeling between the two ; they grew to be good 
friends. Occasionally the old temptation would 
come back, Harry would begin to tease and 
Ruth to get angry, but if either one said the 
word compact ” it would end in a hearty laugh. 
Ruth found many opportunities for carrying 
out her purpose of being a help to Harry. His 
school-days had been few before coming to 

R , and he was farther behind those of his 

own age even than Ruth herself. She could 
often give him some assistance, for which he 
was very grateful. In many studies she was 
brighter and quicker than he was, but in arith- 
metic he could often straighten out the tangles 
for her. 

Ruth took hold of his bad grammar and his 
slang with a high hand. “ I make lots of mis- 
takes myself in grammar, but I won’t talk slang, 
as you do. That must be a boy’s accomplish- 
ment ; he ’s welcome to it. I do n’t want it.” 

“ Of course not. Miss Elegant ! Miss Prim !” 

“ How nice you would look, Ruth Avery, 
if you were rigged out like other girls,” he ex- 
claimed one evening, when they were busy 
with their books. He spoke soberly, but there 
was a twinkle in his eye. 

The color came quickly to Ruth’s face, and 
the curly head gave its proud, angry toss; but 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


103 


before she could reply Harry held up his hand. 
“Oh, I 'm sorry I said that.” Then, laughing, 
“We came mighty near an explosion that time ; 
did n’t we !” 

“ I did ; I believe I ’m silly,” joining in the 
laugh. 

“ And I believe I ’m rude,” so the peace was 
made. 

Mrs. Warden saw with pleasure the kind com- 
radeship springing up between the two. “ You 
will find, my dear Ruth, that Harry has a gentle 
tender heart under all his fun and badinage. 
The poor boy has had so much that is sad in 
his life ! But he has borne it all like a real hero. 
You have heard of Dr. Hale’s ‘Lend a Hand’ 
Society ; have you not ? That is a good motto 
for you young people to commence with ; a good 
motto for a lifetime. All around us are those 
who need a helping hand, and often when we 
least expect it a human soul is hungry for 
sympathy. You have begun to serve the dear 
Christ ; his life was one of infinite helpfulness. 
He gave his life for others ; what can I do for 
him in the person of his children? should be 
our constant question. If you start out in the 
morning with this thought in mind you will 
be astonished to find how many little things 
you can do for others in one day.” 

“ But, Aunt Amy, I often have as much as 


104 A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 

I can do to take care of this temper of mine 
without thinking of other people.” 

Mrs. Warded smiled tenderly into the earnest 
young face. “ You must leave yourself in better 
hands. In helping others you will be helped. 
I came across this sentence the other day : ‘ We 
must accept ourselves ; we must bear with our- 
selves faithfully and lovingly.’ You must learn 
this lesson, dear Ruth. I hope you can influ- 
ence Harry to give his heart to Christ.” 

Oh, Aunt Amy, I never could speak to him 
about that. I tried once, and he laughed, and 
asked, ‘Do Christians get mad? Aunt Amy 
does n’t, but some others do.’ ” 

“ Well, dear, it does not always need words 
to influence those around us. A gentle, loving, 
forgiving spirit, shown in all our daily life, is 
far more potent than the most eloquent words.” 
“ Will I ever be all that?” 

“ I hope and expect that you will be, dear, 
through God’s grace.” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


105 


CHAPTER XVIII. 

The holidays with all their delights had 
just come and gone. It was a bright Saturday 
afternoon. Ruth was singing in her room 
when Mrs. Warded tapped at her door. “ Busy, 
dear?” 

“ No, Aunt Amy ; I Ve done my mending, 
my practising, and my studying, and now I Ve 
nothing else to do,” turning a smiling face to- 
wards her aunt ; “ is there anything you ’d like 
me to do ?” 

Not for myself. What were you planning 
for this afternoon ?” 

“Why, I was going out with some of the 
school girls for a walk and a little sight-seeing : 
some lovely pictures they want me to see.” 

Mrs. Warded hesitated. “The walk would 
do you good. I had thought of asking you to 
read to Harry for a while. You know he has 
been sick with grippe for several days ; he can- 
not go out, and the doctor says he must not 
use his eyes. It is dud business for a boy. 
He was just asking me, ‘ Has Ruth forgotten 
a fellow entirely ?’ ” 

A little dark frown darkened Ruth’s bright 


io6 A LITTLE MAIDENE VICTORY. 

face. “ It seems to me he ’s always getting 
sick. I thought boys were stronger than girls, 
but I don’t believe they are — or else they make 
more fuss.” 

“He had no sensible grandmother, Ruth, 
to look after his health, and sometimes he lacked 
wholesome food or he might be stronger,” look- 
ing earnestly at the young girl, who was a rosy 
picture of youthful life and vigor. “You owe 
your grandmother a great debt, my child, for 
all her care of your bodily needs. But do as 
you choose about the reading; I know you 
would enjoy the walk.” 

Ruth caught the sober, tired expression of 
Mrs. Warden’s face; “Why, Aunt Amy, you 
are all worn out ;” then putting her arms around 
her, “ How naughty and selfish in me to hesi- 
tate a moment when there is anything I can 
do for you.” 

“Not for me exactly, Ruth.” 

“ For Harry ?” with a little of the old feeling 
of dislike for the boy. 

“ No, dear, for a better Friend than either of 
us.” 

“ For Jesus, you mean ; here is a good chance 
to lend a helping hand, I see, and I ’ll lend 
it,” with her sweet smile. “ Queer, I have not 
thought of Harry all these days. I can take 
my walk some day after school. What shall I 


A LITTLE MAIDEN^ S VICTORY. 107 

read him, Aunt Amy ?” now all interest. “ I 
wonder if he would like my favorite book, ‘ Ar- 
temas.’ ” 

“You can try, and see. I am sure he will like 
almost anything you read and will appreciate 
your self-denial,” giving her a kiss. “ I will 
leave him in your hands, as I have to go with 
May and Bell to do some shopping.” 

“ Hello, comrade !” for Ruth had vetoed 
being called “pal,” “glad to see you,” was 
her greeting as she entered Harry’s room. 

“ Aunt Amy says you gave up a walk to 
come and read to me ; now that 's what I call 
genuine good in you.” 

“ Why, how pale you look ! I did n’t know 
you had been sick.” 

“ I guess if you ’d been gripped and tortured 
as I ’ve been for the last few days you ’d look 
pale too. I tell you what, Ruth, it takes the 
vim out of a fellow ; the pain ’s awful.” 

“ How sorry I am,” feeling reproached. “ I 
wish I had come in before this time.” 

“ Wish you had ; but, I tell you. Aunt Amy 
does n t forget me when I ’m sick, or any other 
time ; she ’s just an angel.” 

“ That she is ; on that point we are agreed.” 

“ Yes, she 's true blue. Is that a pious book 
you Ve brought?” 

“ Yes, but you '11 like it, I know. I read it 


io8 A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 

first at home, sitting in my apple-tree, with the 
birds all around me in the branches.” 

“ Tell me about it all ; I never lived in the 
country.” 

Ruth grew enthusiastic as she described her 
home, the woods, the fields, and the pretty 
brook. She had an interested listener, and 
before she knew it she was deep in the story of 
that afternoon when she missed the picnic and 
her grandmother fell and broke her leg. Then 
she told of Dollie, of Peggy and Sam, and their 
comicalities, all in such a funny way that Harry 
laughed until he had to lie back in his easy 
chair, tired out. 

“ Now I must stop and go to reading, or 
you ’ll be worse instead of better.” 

“ No, it wont hurt me one bit ; it does me 
good. How I 'd like to be in those woods and 
by that brook,” with a dreamy look in his eyes. 
“That grandmother of yours made you stand 
around, I bet; but she was good to give you 
such a nice home. I tell you ! if I ’d had a good 
grandmother ” — he choked a little and Ruth 
thought there were tears in his eyes, so she 
commenced her reading at once. Soon they 
were both interested in the story of those Jesus 
loved, and before she dreamed of their coming 
Ruth heard the cheerful voices of the returned 
shoppers ; the short afternoon was gone. 



^ « I 

Y^/ 






A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


log 


“ That ’s a nice book ; when will you read 
me the rest?” 

“Sometime to-morrow, Harry.” 

As she was leaving the room he called her 
back. “ Ruth, I do believe you are a Christian ; 
I ’ll take back some things I ’ve said.” 

“ I ’m trying to be one, Harry, but sometimes 
I have a hard fight.” 

“ And I ’ve made it harder sometimes, while 
I myself have not even tried ; but I believe I 
will.” 

“ Had a long afternoon, dear ?” asked Mrs. 
Warden. 

“Why, no. Aunt Avery. It’s been very 
short ; we ’ve had the nicest kind of a time : just 
lovely ! Harry liked the book. I ’m ever so 
glad I stayed at home with him,” and Ruth trip- 
ped upstairs with a light heart, meeting May 
and Belle on the way. 

“ Here comes our sunshine,” said Belle giv- 
ing her a box of bonbons and a loving squeeze. 

When in her own room Ruth kneeled down 
by her little white bed and offered an earnest 
prayer for Harry. And she did not forget 
to thank her Heavenly Father for all his good- 
ness — something she seldom forgot in these 
glad days — but for the first time in her life she 
remembered to thank him for giving her such 
a good friend as her grandmother had been. 


no 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


Her heart had warmed towards her many times 
during this absence, but never until that day 
had she realized how much she owed the one 
who had taken her in — a wilful, troublesome 
child ; giving her a good home and watchful 
care. 

“ I must have bothered her to death,”" she 
thought, “ the poor old lady ! And I was so glad 
to leave her, and hardly give her a thought 
here in this beautiful home. Perhaps she loved 
me all the time better than I imagined. Annie 
Stedman thinks grandma is really homesick for 
me. I wish I had been patient with her those 
last weeks, when she scolded so and was so pro- 
voking. She says I forget all about her, now that 
I ’m away ; I fear I do the most of the time. I 
must write her a good long letter.” 

The bell interrupted her musings. With a 
song on her lip and in her heart she went down 
to meet the happy group that always gathered 
at the evening meal. To her surprise she found 
Harry at the table. 

“ His new nurse took such good care of him 
that he thought he could join us,” laughed Mrs. 
Warden, giving Ruth an approving glance. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VIC TOE V. 


Ill 


CHAPTER XIX. 

The happy days “ just flew,” for Ruth Avery : 
so much to do — work that she liked — so much 
to be enjoyed, and darling Aunt Amy so near 
all the time to help and to guide. “Was ever 
a girl so blessed ?” she often asked herself. 

Her aunt rejoiced to see a constant improve- 
ment in Ruth, not only in her studies and in 
her manners but especially in her disposition — 
a gentleness and sweetness of temper that were 
often surprising even to Mrs. Warded, who 
was ever looking for and expecting good in 
every one. Mr. Warded often said, “ My wife 
, knows how to draw out the best that is in peo- 
ple ; she believes that there is some good in 
every human being, and she has the blessed 
faculty of finding the gold even when it is hid- 
den in a mass of dross.” 

To Ruth herself it seemed that the battle 
was nearly gained ; that she should never go 
back to the old ways of anger and impatience. 
To be sure, she had to admit that since she had 
made her peace with Harry there was nothing 
to test her strength in this her “paradise.” 
Sometimes there was a little sparring between 


II2 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 


the two, but generally the sharp-shooting ended 
in a hearty laugh. 

Mrs. Warded was glad to see that the bright 
young girl was gaining a strong, refining influ- 
ence over the noisy rough boy, who had never 
been blessed with a sister. “ Boys do need a 
power of polishing up ; do n't they !” said Ruth 
merrily. “ At least some boys do ; now Clarence 
Stedman is a little gentleman.” 

“Yes, he is,” replied Mrs. Warded; “but 
think of his mother and sisters. How could he 
be other than gentlemanly ? But I do not think 
that he will make as smart a man as Harry will, 
for he has not as much pluck and push. Harry’s 
hard life has made him very self-reliant ; then 
he has some noble qualities.” 

“ If there are any you 11 discover them. 
Aunt Amy, and dig them out,” was Ruth’s gay 
retort. 

Ruth had been promoted to a higher grade, 
and was now among scholars of her own age. 
She found her work and her companions more 
congenial. She soon formed some strong friend- 
ships among the girls. “ I like them,” she said, 
to her aunt, “ ad but Grace King ; I cannot like 
her, although she is pretty, bright, and dresses 
handsome — handsomely. But she is so ‘ airy !’ I 
don’t believe she or her mother is a real lady- 
like you. Aunt Amy.” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 


“ You are very keen in your conclusions,” 
quite amused, for Mrs. Wardell knew that the 
Kings might be called “shoddy aristocracy.” 
“You must not dislike her, Ruth; try to find 
some good qualities in her ; if you do I am sure 
you will succeed.” 

“ Perhaps — but she is hateful and sarcastic ; 
some of the girls think she is just right because 
she is rich, I suppose; but a good many don’t 
like her any better than I do.” 

It was not many days after this conversation 
that Ruth came home from school with a very 
sober face. Finding her aunt in her cosey little 
sewing-room she seated herself beside her on 
a low hassock. Mrs. Wardell noticed the for- 
lorn expression at once. 

“What has happened, dear?” gently strok- 
ing the curly head. 

“ Oh, Aunt Amy, that dreadful Grace King 
has been saying such tantalizing things to me. 
She ridiculed my dress ; said, ‘ Miss Ruth has a 
great passion for the antique, especially in 
sleeves.’ Then the girls roared,” bursting into 
tears and hiding her face in her aunt’s lap. 

- “ But, my dear, why should you mind such 
foolish speeches ?” 

“ Aunt Amy, that is nothing to some other 
things she said about my being a poor pauper 
girl living on the bounty of my rich relations. 

8 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


114 

And it ’s all because I was marked higher than 
she was in language and drawing,” bursting out 
afresh. 

“Did you get angry with her?” asked Mrs. 
Warden very soberly. 

Ruth’s head came up in an instant. 

“ Angry ? Why, that ’s no name for it. I 
got furious, roaring, tearing mad, and I gave her 
one piece of my mind. She just looked fright- 
ened, and so did the other girls ; I do n’t think 
she will attack me again very soon.” 

“ Oh, my dear, dear child, I am very sorry,” 
and there were tears in the kind voice and eyes. 

“So am I, and my dear teacher heard me 
too, and looked so shocked ! Oh dear, why did 
she provoke me so !” 

“ Better ask, Ruth, ‘ Why did I let her pro- 
voke me so ?’ very solemnly. “ Did you forget 
your Saviour and not raise a prayer to him ?” 

“ I forgot everything, everything. Oh, Aunt 
Amy, I can never hope I am a Christian again. 
Why did I get so angry ? Why did I mind her 
foolish words? I really don’t care what she 
thinks. I am completely discouraged.” 

“ And so am I,” thought poor Mrs. Wardell ; 
but she only said gently, “ Let us tell Jesus all 
about it.” Dropping on her knees she poured 
forth such a tender, beseeching prayer that it 
lingered in Ruth’s memory as long as life 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTOR V. 


lasted. Then she took the sobbing girl on her 
lap and talked to her long and earnestly, until 
Ruth made a solemn promise, “ God helping me, 
I will never allow my temper to master me !” 

When they both grew more quiet and cheer- 
ful Mrs. Warded said, “ Ruth, I think you must 
apologize to Grace. 

“ Oh, auntie, how can I ?” 

“ Did you not call her unkind names ?” 

‘'Yes, the very worst sort,” hiding her face 
on her aunt’s shoulder. 

“So I feared. Go to her and tell her you 
are sorry ; that is all you can do to make it 
right. You are not responsible for what she 
said, but you are responsible for your own 
angry, bitter words.” 

“ I will do it. Aunt Amy ; I will, to-morrow. 
Do you think I can ever be happy again?” 

“ Indeed you can. Now go to your room 
and again seek God’s forgiveness, for the sin is 
against him. He will pardon and give you new 
strength and grace to conquer,” said ^Mrs. War- 
ded with a heart full of tender pity for the 
stormy-spirited girl who made herself so much 
trouble and sorrow. 

Mrs. Warded sat by Ruth’s bed a long time 
that evening; she found her very quiet and 
hopeful. 

“ God has forgiven me. Aunt Amy, for Jesus’ 


ii6 A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VIC TOE V. 

sake. How patient and loving Christ is with 
me ; so good ! But I do n’t think it will ever 
happen again,” and it never did in all her fu- 
ture life. 

Before Mrs. Wardell left the room she said, 
“ Now, Ruth, I am going to have your dresses 
remodelled and get you a couple of new ones.” 

Oh, do n’t; that will cost too much.” 

My dear child, we are able to do it ; it is a 
pleasure. I expected to help mother in your 
outfit, but she would not consent. You have 
been exposed to many unnecessary annoyances 
that I could easily have prevented. But you 
were such an independent little puss, and so 
opposed to having any changes made, that I 
thought I would leave you to work out the 
problem for yourself. Your grandmother would 
be sorry if she knew just how it is ; she has 
lived so long in that little country place, and 
out of the village, that she cannot imagine how 
different things are here in the city. I will 
write her to-morrow, so that you need not feel 
that you are disobeying her orders.” 

Ruth caught her aunt’s hand and kissed it. 
“ How kind you are. It has been hard to wear 
these dresses, so different from the other girls’. 
It will be nice to have something pretty and 
fresh ; I ’ve felt so for ever so long.” 

And you have been too proud to tell your 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


in 

aunt! I have been waiting for a word from 
you ; now vre will have a dressmaker at once.” 

Ruth laughed gayly., “I do love pretty 
things, but grandma thinks it ’s so foolish and 
vain to ‘ rig one’s self up,’ and says ' girls ought 
to dress plainly.’ Then she did n’t want me to 
be willing to take all you would give, like any 
beggar-girl. She doesn’t want me spoiled.” 

“No danger, dear, of your losing your pride 
and independence. Mother is mistaken. Beau- 
tiful things, pretty things, and in good taste, 
either in dress or furnishings, heed not spoil 
us; they help to cultivate, refine and elevate 
us. The beautiful has its mission in these 
things as well as in nature. Think how exquis- 
itely lovely God’s works are. The girl who is 
taught not to love dainty clothing, as pretty and 
nice as her circumstances justify, I fear will 
lack refinement. But, of course, we are not to 
set our hearts upon these things, nor let them 
come between our souls and God.” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


Ji3 


CHAPTER XX. 

A CONFUSED and shame-faced girl met Miss 
Edwards, the teacher, at school the next morn- 
ing, but she spoke up bravely : “ Miss Edwards, 
I am very sorry indeed that I was so angry 
yesterday.” 

“ I was astonished, I must say, Ruth. I did 
not hear what Grace said to provoke you, but 
the girls told me that she was very rude and 
provoking. I shall have a serious talk with 
her.” 

“ But that was no excuse for me. Miss Ed- 
wards. I am going to ask her pardon for the 
unkind words I spoke.” 

Miss Edwards looked troubled. “ I hardly 
think I would, Ruth ; Grace can be very irrita- 
ting and may say some unpleasant things.” 

‘‘ Do not fear another explosion,” laughed 
Ruth. Then soberly, “ I must do it, whether she 
accepts my apology or not.” 

“ You are a brave girl ; I hope that you will 
not meet with a rebuff.” 

It was the hardest thing that Ruth Avery 
had ever attempted to do in all her short life, 
but in thinking it over quietly in her own room 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. iig 

the evening before she had decided that Aunt 
Amy was right ; that it must be done. She 
found Grace surrounded by some of the very 
girls who had heard the quarrel, and said very 
earnestly, “ Grace, I want to ask your pardon 
for being so angry yesterday and for speaking 
as I did ; I said things that were neither kind 
nor ladylike ; I am very sorry.” 

“Oh, you need not ask my pardon. I did 
not pay any attention to such kind of language 
as that. I suppose it is country manners,” very 
sarcastically. 

Ruth felt the hot blood rushing to her face ; 
a sharp retort was on her tongue, but she 
checked herself in time, lifting a little prayer. 
One of the girls exclaimed, “ For shame, Grace, 
when Ruth made such a sweet apology ! You 
know you were rude to her. I call that con- 
temptible.” 

“ Well, I ’m very sorry for my rudeness,” 
said Ruth ; “ that ’s all I can say. I wish we 
might be friends,” holding out a hand that 
Grace disdained to notice. As Ruth walked 
away quietly she felt very thankful that she had 
been kept from speaking more bitter words. 

A report of the interview soon reached Miss 
Edwards’ ears. Miss Grace was summoned to 
the desk and received a rebuke that sent her 
back to her seat a very crestfallen girl. 


120 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTOR V. 


“And now you must win her, Ruth,” said 
Mrs. Warden, as Ruth told her story, sitting by 
the open fire that evening with a pet kitten in 
her lap. The kitten and canary were her de- 
light, for pets had never been allowed in Grand- 
ma Avery’s neat house. 

Ruth watched for an opportunity to do Grace 
a kindness, and one soon offered. A subject 
was given out one afternoon for a short essay to 
be written within an hour. Mrs. Warded had 
provided Ruth with some helps that the others 
did not have ; among them a condensed book 
of reference that was in great demand with the 
scholars. Ruth hastily gleaned what she could 
on the subject from this book, and then quietly 
passed it on to Grace’s desk. Grace was a real 
student and very ambitious to do her best ; she 
gave Ruth an astonished and grateful look that 
made her very happy. 

As the days passed, watchful Ruth found 
many little unobtrusive ways of doing kind- 
nesses ; sometimes they were scornfully ignored 
and her advances repelled, but she was kept 
from angry words, although she could not always 
prevent the flash of her eyes. 

In the course of a few weeks Ruth announced 
to her aunt, “ Grace and I are very good friends, 
and. Aunt Amy, I have made a discovery.” 

“ Well, what is it, Ruth ?” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY, 


121 


“ I have discovered some hid treasure in 
Grace King’s heart.” 

“ Oh, you have, have you ? I am not at all 
surprised.” 

“ She is generous to a fault ; I believe she ’d 
give away anything she has. She ’s not half so 
haughty as she sometimes seems. The girls 
say her mother ’s a very proud, vain woman ; 
she may not teach Grace to love and serve Jesus, 
as you teach me. What would I be if you had 
not taken me in hand ?” 

God is leading and teaching you, Ruth.” 

“Yes, I know; but it’s through you, dear 
Aunt Amy. How I did need you to love me, 
and mother me, and cure me.” 

One evening, when Belle and May were busy 
with their books, Ruth walked into the room 
wearing for the first time one of her pretty, be- 
coming new dresses, feeling a little shy and 
uncomfortable in her strange attire. Belle threw 
up her hands in amazement. “ What a trans- 
formation ! Can this be our little country lass?” 
Then the two girls caught her between them 
and danced her up and down the room, laugh- 
ing, calling her Miss Avery, and having a real 
frolic over her, while Harry looked on in undis- 
guised admiration. 

“ Oh, girls, you ’ll make her as vain as a pea- 
cock !” he exclaimed. 


122 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY, 


“ No danger of that,” answered May. 

“ More danger of her being ready to fight 
like a cock,” laughed Ruth, doubling up her 
fist at him and joining in the general merri- 
ment. 

“ I know you are game every time, but your 
feathers do n’t ruffle up as easy as they used to ; 
suppose it ’ll be harder than ever to provoke a 
fight now the little sleeves are gone ; I ’m real 
sorry !” with a roguish laugh. 

*‘Oh, I don’t care for the old-fashioned 
dresses ; I can wear them sometimes,” with an 
independent toss of her head. 

No, no ; you never shall put them on again ; 
we will give them to the poor,” said Belle. 

“ Grandma would not like that ; I ’d rather 
keep them just as they are ; she would not know 
me in this rig.” 

“ Why, my little lady, it seems to me you 
are looking unusually well this evening, for 
some reason,” remarked Mr. Warded on his 
arrival — which caused a general laugh, for he 
was noted for his want of observation in mat- 
ters of dress. 

Ruth colored and looked piqued ; she did not 
quite enjoy this general admiration of her new 
plumage. Mrs. Warded noticed her annoyance 
and quickly turned the attention from the con- 
scious little maiden. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VIC TOE V, 


123 


That evening she gave her daughters some 
advice. “ Do not speak again to Ruth about her 
dress ; she does not like it, and she may begin to 
think it of more importance than it is.” 

“But, mamma,” exclaimed Belle, “did you 
ever see a greater change for the better ? Even 
Mary gave her many admiring glances as she 
waited upon her so deferentially at table. What 
a pity she has gone all these weeks looking so 
like a prim little old lady.” 

“ Yes, it is. Not many girls would do as she 
has done ; she has a world of independence that 
will make her a strong woman.” 

“ And a world of persistency too,” interrupt- 
ed May. “ She is the most persistent little mor- 
tal about her practising ; sometimes it is trouble- 
some, when she persists in playing a passage her 
own way. I find I can coax her into almost any- 
thing ; but I do not think that I could drive her 
an inch.” 

“ A firm but gentle hand is ever the best ; I 
found that out years ago with a little girl of my 
own,” with a smiling glance at May. 


124 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


CHAPTER XXI. 

The winter was gone and windy March had 
come ; “fairly skipped away,” as Ruth expressed 
it. “ And before I know it this happy year will 
be over and I must go — this happiest year of 
my life.” She had come in from school -all 
bright and rosy, and, as usual, had sought her 
aunt to give a record of the day’s doings. “ I 
don’t think I was ever so happy before, unless 
it was before mamma died, and that seems so 
long ago I can’t remember.” 

“ Why, Ruth, you always appeared gay and 
joyous ; you are one of the cheerful kind ; such 
a disposition is a real blessing.” 

“Yes, I was then, at home, most of the time. 
The birds and the flowers and the little brook 
were all my friends, and I used to tell them all 
kinds of stories — all my secrets. But oh. Aunt 
Amy, I used to get so lonely and homesick for 
mamma ; I often cried myself to sleep. I never 
do that here.” A shadow clouded the sunny 
face at the remembrance. “ I was so disappoint- 
ed after grandma got well. I thought she was 
going to love me and pet me as you do. The 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 125 

last few months I was wicked ; I did n’t care 
much what I did; it didn’t seem to make any 
difference. Grandma would scold, and find fault, 
no matter what I did ; so I did n’t try to please 
her very much, I guess.” 

“ I think,” suggested Mrs. Warded. 

“ Oh, yes, that is better. Miss Edwards says 
‘ I guess ’ is not elegant. I thought nobody 
loved me, not even God,” impetuously, “and 
that ’s the way I got so far from him.” 

“Yes, dear, there was your great mistake. 
Never doubt his love under any circumstances ; 
remember you are a daughter of the Heavenly 
King — a daughter beloved, dear to him as the 
apple of his eye. Your grandmother and I are 
quite unlike. She has peculiar notions : she 
thinks it foolish to pet a child ; she never petted 
her own boy. But she does love you more than 
you think. Let me read you something,” draw- 
ing from her pocket a letter just received from 
Mrs. Avery. 

“ ‘ Ruth is a dear, good girl. I did not real- 
ize how much I loved her and depended upon 
her until she was gone. I am glad to hear such 
good reports of her. I can see that you are 
right about her wardrobe. I am an old fogy, 
out of the gay world, and I did not know. Am 
glad you made the needed changes, and sorry 
she had any annoyance. I will make it all right 


126 A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY, 

with you some day. I am very grateful for all 
you are doing for the dear child.’ ” 

Ruth’s eyes were big with amazement. 
“ Aunt Amy, is grandmother sick ? She never 
talks like that when she is well.” 

Mrs. Warded could not restrain a smile. “ I 
hope not, Ruth ; she does not speak of being 
ill.” 

“I do n’t believe she ’s very well ; she ’s gen- 
tle when she ’s sick — or she was, that only time. 
But then you were there ; perhaps that was the 
reason,” and Ruth chuckled merrily. 

“ My dear Ruth,” very tenderly, “ I fear you 
do not appreciate all your grandmother has done 
for you.” 

“ Indeed I do, only I wish she had done it 
all in a different way. Poor dear old grandma ! 
You don’t know how provoking she can be 
sometimes.” 

“ Yes, I do, for I lived with her a short time 
when a girl a little older than you. I know all 
about it ; I know it has been hard and that you 
have had very many struggles. Jesus knows it 
too, and he is pitiful and merciful. But with it 
all your grandmother is a kind, noble woman. 
She has tried to bring you up in the best way, 
at least in the way she thought best. She was 
very kind to me, and taught me some whole- 
some lessons that I never forgot. Poor woman ! 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


127 


She has had great sorrows, and I think that they 
have made her hard.” 

“ Why, Aunt Amy, how good it is to think 
that you have had my trials !” Ruth exclaimed 
excitedly. “ I had forgotten that you ever lived 
with grandma, if she ever told me ; but how 
beautifully you must have borne it all. I can 
imagine how good and patient you were ; not 
the careless, helter-skelter girl I am.” 

Mrs. Warden laughed heartily. “ Do you 
think that I was always the Aunt Amy of 
to-day? I was a wayward, thoughtless girl. I 
made your grandmother a great deal of trouble, 
I fear, the little time I stayed under her roof.” 

“ Oh, good, good !” interrupted Ruth, clap- 
ping her hands ; “I’m so glad to hear that you 
were once a wayward, thoughtless girl. Can I 
ever be such a woman as my dear Aunt Amy ?” 
seizing her aunt’s hand and kissing it over and 
over. “ Perhaps there is some hope for me. 
But, then, you did not have my fiery temper.” 

“ Perhaps not. But, Ruth, you need not 
wish to be your Aunt Amy ; you must be your- 
self ; your own true self.” 

“ But, Aunt Amy, I do wish I could always 
live with you, for you cherish the good spirits 
and drive out the evil ones. I ’m like Ruth in 
the Bible : where thou goest I should like to go, 
and where thou lodgest I should like to lodge,” 


128 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


“ And will you add, ‘ Thy God shall be my 
God ’ T very earnestly. 

“ Yes, Aunt Amy,” said Ruth, the tears com- 
ing to her eyes. “ I want your God for my God ; 
I hope he is.” 

“ I am sure he is, dear, and will ever be, 
whether you live with me or elsewhere. He 
will do the very best for his dear child, and 
order all things for her highest good.” 

“ When is this confab going to end ?” Ruth 
looking up caught a glimpse of Harry’s laugh- 
ing eyes peering from between the folds of the 
portiere. “ Are there any secrets on the car- 
pet?” 

“ No, Harry,” said Mrs. Warded ; “no secrets, 
and our confab is ended.” 

“Well, Lady Ruth, if you ’re at liberty, will 
you just come and help a fellow out of a scrape ? 
Here’s a sentence that I cannot diagram, for the 
life of me.” 

“ At your service. Sir Harry,” with a mock 
bow. 

“ Why, I thought you ’d never get through,” 
said Harry when they were alone. “ I ’ve been 
waiting for you for the last half-hour. Been 
having a solemn time, I should think ; but once 
I heard you clap your hands and give a shout.” 

“ Harry Warded, were you listening ?” 

“ Listening !” indignantly. “ What do you 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. I2g 

take me for, Ruth Avery ? I’m not in that 
line of business.” Then with a mischievous 
glance, Been having another fracas in school, 
and ’fessing to Aunt Amy, that you ’re so afraid 
I ’d hear ?” 

Ruth crimsoned up to her hair, but she an- 
swered soberly, No, Harry, I have not, and I 
hope never to have another ; God helping me, I 
never will.” 

Harry grew sober too. “Say, comrade, I 
begin to believe in your religion. I ’ve been 
watching you; wish I had some of the same 
sort. It ’s true blue.” 

Ruth made no reply, but a little thanksgiv- 
ing went up from her heart that something in 
her life had been “a word for Jesus.” It was 
hard to speak to the fun-loving Harry of any- 
thing serious, but she remembered Mrs. War- 
dell’s remark : “ An acted word is often more 
potent for good than a spoken one.” 

Soon they were all engrossed with their 
lessons ; Mrs. Wardell, passing through the 
room, smiled to herself to think what kind, 
pleasant friends the two had become. 


9 


130 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


CHAPTER XXII. 

Mrs. Wardell sat in her cosey sewing-room 
with an open letter in her hand, looking per- 
plexed and troubled, but she brightened when 
she heard Ruth’s cheery voice singing gayly as 
she skipped up to her room. They were to take 
a long trolley-ride — Ruth’s great delight — that 
Friday afternoon, to East Avenue, that delight- 
ful part of the city, where Mrs. Wardell had a 
call to make, and then were to visit a conserva- 
tory where there was a fine display of orchids. 
It was a lovely May day, and Ruth had hurried 
home in high glee to be in time for the little 
excursion with “ dear Aunt Amy.” 

Soon she appeared in her aunt’s room wear- 
ing her dainty new spring hat, looking the very 
picture of charming young girlhood, Mrs. War- 
dell thought. “ I was afraid I was late, but I 
see I am not.” 

“ No, in good time. How do you like your 
new hat ?” 

“ I like it ever so much ; it is ever so pretty. 
I was thinking. Aunt Amy, as I put it on, that 
just as soon as I get to teaching I ’m going to 
pay you for all these nice things.” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


“ Perhaps you can, Ruth, but do not think so 
much about that part ; there is a grace of re- 
ceiving as well as of giving, which first grace 
you need to cultivate,” gazing fondly into the 
fair young face. “It is often harder to receive 
gracefully than to give gracefully. You must 
not forget, dear, that in doing for you I am only 
helping my mother ; do not feel burdened, but 
just be thankful and glad.” 

Harry ’s prophecy had not come true : “ All 
these fine clothes ’ll spoil Ruth ; she ’ll get vain, 
just like all the rest of the girls ; they are such 
a silly lot ! Sometimes I watch them as they 
go prinking along the streets thinking some 
one ’s admiring their handsome feathers, and 
I just laugh to myself and think, ‘ What little 
geese you are !’ ” 

These compliments to the sex he had private- 
ly delivered to Aunt Amy. 

But Ruth Avery had too many other things 
in her noddle to give very much thought to 
dresses and hats. She liked her new things, put 
them on, and then forgot all about them. “ The 
only time I ’m conscious that my dresses are 
different,” she informed her aunt, “is when 
Grace King looks at me with her sharp eyes. 
Once I was sure she was going to make one of 
her mean speeches — I saw it in her glance and 
in her curling lip ; but she seemed to think 


132 A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 

better of it, and only said, ‘ That ’s a pretty 
dress you have on, Ruth.’ ” 

Mrs. Warden sat quietly gazing out of the 
window with a troubled face, making no prepara- 
tion for their walk. At length Ruth asked in 
rather an impatient tone, “ Why, Aunt Amy, 
it is getting late ; are you not going out this 
afternoon ?” 

“Yes, dear, in a moment ; but I have just re- 
ceived a letter from your grandmother that has 
quite unnerved me. I fear that she is ill. Read 
it yourself and see what you think,” handing 
Ruth the letter. 

It was very short, and written in a trembling, 
scrawling hand, very different from her usual 
firm one. The burden of it was, “ I think Ruth 
must come home, just as .soon as school closes, 
and spend the vacation with me. I want to see 
her very much, and I need her.” 

Mrs. Warden watched the sudden change in 
Ruth’s face as she read ; it was like the drop- 
ping of a dark cloud over a bright sunny day. 
“Yes, Aunt Amy, she must be sick,” with a 
long-drawn sigh ; “ she expected me to stay a 
year.” 

“ I thought at first that I would not show 
you the letter until to-morrow ; but then to- 
morrow is our picnic to the lake, and I feared it 
might spoil the day, and so concluded to tell 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


133 


you at once. Perhaps she is not really ill, only 
a little blue.” 

She never gets blue ; I think she is sick ; 
and now I remember, Annie Stedman said in 
her last letter that grandma had not been in 
church for several Sundays, and that the last 
time she came Mrs. Stedman thought she looked 
feeble.” 

You did not tell me, Ruth.” 

“No, I forgot it ; you know she hardly ever 
used to go to church, so I did n’t wonder at that. 
I was so full of my own matters that I did n’t 
pay much attention. Poor, lonely grandma!” 
with a tremble in her voice ; “ but how can I go 
away from this happy place !” 

“ Do not think about it now ; we will go out 
and have a pleasant time. Grandmother may 
be better in a few days, or, if you have to go, it 
may be only for a short time. Either way, you 
must be a brave, strong little woman. And if 
she should prove to be very sick I will go home 
with you.” 

“ Oh, Aunt Amy, will you ?” and Ruth’s face 
brightened at once. With the blessed faculty 
of youth for casting off cares and anxieties she 
soon forgot her troubles and enjoyed the after- 
noon to the utmost. The orchids especially 
delighted her with their strange, fantastic shapes 
and exquisite beauty. “There was one there 


134 A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY, 

that looked like a lovely butterfly ; it was so 
beautiful !” she told Harry. 

“ Any that looked like toads ?” 

“ No, you bad boy. Toads and orchids ! 
The idea !” 

Mrs. Warden’s heart was full of tenderness 
all that afternoon for the bright child that made 
the house so cheery and was growing so dear to 
them all. She did all she could to add to the 
pleasure of the trip. But Ruth hardly needed 
her help, for she was wild over the lovely 
streets with their . fine trees in their delicate 
May foliage, the elegant dwellings, spring flow- 
ers, and bright green lawns. But Mrs. War- 
dell’s thoughts were busy planning ; she felt 
sure that Ruth’s respite was at an end, for, if 
the grandmother wanted and needed her grand- 
child, there was her place ; and the old lady 
might have a long, helpless illness. 

She thought regretfully of the vacation’s 
trips she had planned for Ruth : little excursions 
to Niagara, Watkins’ Glen, and Chautauqua, 
which the family were intending to take ; it 
had been decided that Ruth, and probably Har- 
ry, must be members of the party. Fortunately 
nothing had been said to her, so she need not 
know how much she was losing. 

That evening Mrs. Wardell wrote a note of 
inquiry to Mrs. Avery’s kind neighbor Mrs. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY, 


135 


Hart, going into Ruth’s room before retiring 
to tell her what she had done and bidding her 
not to think anything more about it until they 
heard something more definite. Ruth was 
already in bed, but not asleep. When Mrs. 
Warden kissed her good-night she found the 
rosy cheeks wet with tears. 

I know I ’ll have to go, Aunt Amy ; I know 
I ought to go ; I was just praying Jesus to make 
me willing to go. I think poor grandma is very 
sick or she would not write so. She’s won- 
derfully plucky ; never tells of her pains and 
aches.” 

“ I know ; but we will hope for the best. It 
may be nothing serious. We will trust it in 
God’s hands and go to sleep.” 

There were no traces of tears on Ruth’s face 
the next morning when she came down to 
breakfast; even Mrs. Warded did not imagine 
how hard had been the struggle of the previous 
evening, but Jesus knew. 

The day proved to be delightfully warm and 
bright. The whole family joined in the picnic 
to the lake, including a couple of the friends of 
May and Belle. The long trolley ride from the 
city to Charlotte was a treat to Ruth. “ It ’s 
great fun to go spinning along at such a rate !” 
she exclaimed to Harry. 

“ Yes ; and then to think there ’s a jolly good 


136 A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 

dinner spinning along with us. I helped to 
pack it, so I know the jolting wont do it any 
harm. There are lots of goodies,” smacking his 
lips. 

“Oh, you boys! always thinking of your 
stomachs 1” with a disgusted look that set Harry 
off in a roar. 

The air was delicious, fragrant with the blos- 
soms of the last of May ; the country so fresh 
and beautiful that Ruth was in ecstasy. She 
looked so smiling and happy that it almost 
brought the tears to Mrs. Warden’s eyes as she 
thought of all that might be hanging over the 
dear child. 

It was too early in the season for the rush of 
pleasure-seekers, most of the houses were not 
yet opened, but the lake was there in all its 
glory and beauty ; that more than satisfied 
Ruth. She had never seen the ocean, nor any 
large body of water, and her delight was un- 
bounded. To Mrs. Warden the lake seemed 
only quiet and restful that day, but to Ruth 
it was sparkling with enchanting life. She 
skipped along the beach and out on the long 
pier, never tiring of watching the immense blue 
sheet of water with its distant sails. 

Altogether the day was one of inexpressible 
joy. “ I never in my life spent such a charm- 
ing day,” she confided to Harry. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. jjr 

“And you enjoyed the good dinner too, I 
noticed,” he suggested slyly. “It seems girls 
can’t live on air and scenery any more than 
boys, when they go on picnics.” 

“Of course not; but they don’t talk of 
something to eat all the time,” retorted Ruth 
merrily. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


13S 


CHAPTER XXIII. 

The early part of the following week Mrs. 
Warden received a reply from Mrs. Hart that 
confirmed her fears. Mrs. Avery was feeble ; 
spent part of each day in bed. At Mrs. Hart’s 
urgent advice the doctor had been consulted, and 
he had pronounced the difficulty a serious one, 
which might end fatally. “ She pines for Ruth,’ 
wrote Mrs. Hart. “I think if she were to return 
Mrs. Avery might gain heart and strength at 
once. Ruth had better come as soon as school 
closes. The girl who is with Mrs. Avery is 
very good as far as she knows, but she is a 
constant source of worry and annoyance. Tell 
Ruth that her grandmother talks of her daily.” 

When Mrs. Ward ell read the letter to Ruth 
she exclaimed, “ Aunt Amy, I must go at once ; 
I must not wait for school to close. If anything 
should happen to grandmother I should never 
forgive myself for not going to her when she 
needed me so much.” 

“ I think you are right, Ruth ; the sooner 
you can go the better. But you need not start 
to-day,” noticing the eager look ; perhaps by the 
last of the week.” 

“ I wont write to grandma that I ’m coming. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTOR V. 


139 


I ’ll take her by surprise. I can send a note to 
Sam to meet me at the train,” very cheerfully. 

“I’m very glad you feel as you do, Ruth. 
If mother does not improve soon I will come 
to you just as soon as the girls are out of school 
and I can leave. I wish I could go with you, 
but it hardly seems possible just at present.” 

“ Oh, Aunt Amy, I did not think : I shall miss 
seeing Cousin May graduate. That is too bad ! 
She will look so lovely in her graduation dress.” 
Then losing her self-control, “ Aunt Amy, Aunt 
Amy, how can I leave you all ! I ’ve had such 
a happy time here, and you ’ve all been so good 
to me; how can I go!” and she clung to her 
aunt, sobbing and crying. 

“ We all love you dearly, Ruth, and hate to 
have you leave us, but it will be pleasant at 
home. Think of your birds, and of the woods 
with all their sweet spring flowers. Think how 
glad your grandmother will be to have you back, 
and Annie Stedman, and many others. Then 
soon I may be coming and we will have more 
of our charming rambles.” So she talked on 
quietly and cheerfully until Ruth grew calm. 

“ And, Ruth dear, remember it is God’s voice 
that calls you away ; it is the duty-path that 
he in his love marks out for your feet; walk 
in it bravely and gladly. You will find in the 
end that it is a pleasant path.” 


140 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


“ But, Aunt Amy, how I shall need you ! I 
fear I will go back to my old hasty, angry 
ways.” 

“You must not, dear. Jesus will go with 
you. He will not be left behind — he your best 
and strongest Friend and Helper. You may 
have been depending on me and my poor help 
too much, darling. You know how the mother- 
bird drives its young from the nest, that they 
may try their own wings. This is what God 
is doing with you ; but do not be afraid, for 
underneath are the everlasting arms ; if there 
is danger of your falling, they will hold you 
safely. If you take up this duty patiently, yes 
joyfully, think how pleased your Saviour will 
be.” These strong and helpful words lingered 
long in Ruth’s memory. 

The good-byes to school and schoolmates 
were all said, the trunk was packed, and to- 
morrow Ruth was to start for home. Mr. War- 
dell had secured good company for her all the 
way. That last evening in her beloved “ para- 
dise ” was a very bright and cheery one ; she 
enjoyed every moment of it, even to Harry’s 
comical words of farewell. 

“ I do n’t see any sense in your going. Gee 
whiz ! I wouldn’t go if I were in your place.” 

“ Why, Harry, I thought you were never 
going to use that slang expression again.” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY, 


141 

“I didn’t mean to; I know it’s not very 
' elegant,’ as you say, but how can a fellar ex- 
press his feelings when he ’s dumbfounded ? 
Who do suppose is going to improve me and 
my manners — to say nothing of my stupidity ? 
But really and truly, Ruth, I ’m awfully sorry 
to have you go.” 

“ But I ’m going, all the same.” 

Yes, I suppose so ; you ’d go through fire 
and water, I do believe. You are good stuff ; a 
regular soldier.” 

“ A soldier of the Cross, I hope, Harry,” said 
Ruth very earnestly. 

“You’ll have crosses enough, no doubt; a 
wrestle with pots and kettles, and that grandmo- 
ther of yours ’ll tear the heart out of you.” 

“ You bad boy ! How dreadful !” 

“ Perhaps it is,” laughing. Then soberly, 
“ If I could be around I ’d carry one end of that 
cross for you, but as I can’t I ’ll write you the 
jolliest kind of letters.” 

“ All right ! Do n’t forget ; they ’ll be ever so 
welcome.” 

There was singing, playing, and merry chat 
and frolic, ending with a hymn, and a prayer 
that was like a benediction to Ruth. Sweetly 
and earnestly Mr. Warded remembered the 
dear one who should journey from them on the 
morrow, bespeaking God’s care over her on the 


142 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY, 


way and his blessing through life, and thanking 
him for all the brightness that she had brought 
to their home. 

Then Mrs. Warded marched her off to bed, 
with the command, “ Do not think of a single 
thing, but go right to sleep,” a command literal- 
ly obeyed by Ruth, as she was tired out after all 
the excitement of the day. 

The next morning Ruth Avery left the 
blessed home where she had been so happy and 
had learned so many sweet lessons. She was 
bright and cheerful at the partings, but it was a 
wistful, pitiful face that looked out at Mrs. War- 
ded from the car window. Poor, brave little 
Ruth !” thought her aunt, with a heart full of a 
yearning tenderness that she .had not dared to 
express. On a card in the basket of delicious 
lunch that Aunt Amy handed her were these 
pencilled words : “ Watch and pray, dear Ruth ; 
watch and pray ; and may you live daily in the 
sunlight of God’s love !” 

Her companion on the journey — an elderly 
man — proved to be very kind and very enter- 
taining. The people in the car, the pleasant 
country, towns and villages through which the 
Empire State express whirled them at such light- 
ning speed, ad diverted her, so that the day 
seemed short. The latter part of the afternoon 
the long journey was ended, and she found her- 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 




self on the platform of the home dep6t. The 
first sight that caught her eye was Sam — the 
veritable Sam — with Dollie. 

“ Wall, wall, Ruth, glad to see ye back ; why, 
you ’re as pretty as a pink, an’ nat’ral as life,” was 
his greeting. “ Look out there, Dollie’s up to 
her old tricks,” as Ruth attempted to pet the 
dear old horse. “Your gran’ma don’t know 
anything about it, nor nobody ; wont she be as- 
tonished !” 

“ How is grandmother, Sam ?” 

“ She ’s awful poorly ; putters ’round morn- 
ings, but goes to bed afternoons. I left her in 
bed. But she ’ll chirp up, now you ’ve come. 
That girl she ’s got ’s no account. ‘ She ’s no 
Ruth,’ your gran’ma often says, and I says, ‘ No ; 
Ruth ’s smart as a whip, chip of the old block.’ 
Then the old lady always laughs. But you ’re 
awful citified, ’pears to me ; better not wear 
them duds in your gran’ma’s room, or she ’ll 
have a fit.” 

Ruth was glad of Sam’s suggestion, for she 
had forgotten the new hat and jacket ; she was 
thankful that under the sack was one of her old 
plain dresses. “ How beautiful this country is ! 
So sweet and fresh with all these green growing 
things ; not much like the city.” 

“ No ; course not ; no dirty brick and mortar 
here ! All ’s spick-span clean.” 


144 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


“But, Sam, it is lovely there too,” thinking 
of the beautiful streets and of the lake, “ and 
they are all so good and kind. Oh dear! oh 
dear!” and Ruth bravely choked back a sob. 

“You poor little lambkin, I just know all 
about it ; but somebody ’ll be glad to see you 
here, you bet. And you just do what you can 
for the old lady, for I do n’t believe she ’ll stay 
long.” 

“ Oh, Sam, is she so very sick ?” 

“ Why, not so very, but she ’s poorly, poorly ; 
snap all gone out of her ; bad sign in one like 
her.” 

As they neared the house, “ Now you get out, 
and run up stairs and snatch off them duds be- 
fore you go in her room. If that fool of a girl 
do n’t see us, and scream out, ‘ There ’s company 
cornin’,’ ’t will be all right. There she is now, 
the goosie ; I ’ll keep her here,” waving his hand 
to her, “ and you scud in the house.” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY, 


145 


CHAPTER XXIV. 

When Ruth slipped quietly into her grand- 
mother’s room she found her asleep. The face 
on the pillow was so pallid and worn, so changed, 
and the hands — those busy hands — folded on 
the blue, old-fashioned coverlid were so thin 
and bony — the little plain gold ring on one 
finger now too large — that Ruth could hardly 
keep back the tears that welled up into her 
eyes. She sat on the edge of the bed and 
watched her for a few moments, until the black 
eyes opened. “ My dear sick grandma, I ’ve 
come back to you.” 

The old lady stretched out her arms and 
drew Ruth to her, almost smothering her with 
kisses. “ Oh, my dear child, how good of you 
to come ! I am so glad to see you ; and you left 
them all, and school not closed, just to come to 
me. I have longed for you, and prayed for you, 
and now you have come^' and she dropped back 
on the pillow with a look of supreme content. 

All Ruth’s doubts of her grandmother’s love 
vanished at that moment never to return. When 
she realized what her coming meant to the 
lonely woman, the sacrifice of leaving her dear 


10 


146 A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY, 

friends seemed as nothing. She only regretted 
that she had not come weeks earlier. 

“ Why, how you have grown, and how well 
you look,” pinching the carnation cheeks lov- 
ingly; “my own dear little girl though, still, 
come back to your old grandmother unspoiled.” 

Ruth, who knew so well what it is have a 
heart hungry for affection, now realized for the 
first time that poor lonely Grandma Avery too 
longed for and needed human love and care. 
“ Poor grandma ! I Ve never loved her as I 
should, God forgive me ! But now I ’ll make 
amends.” 

There were questions to be asked and an- 
swered, and many things to be told. Ruth sat 
a long time holding her grandmother’s hand, 
giving accounts of school, etc., but being careful 
not to say much that would suggest to Mrs. 
Avery the great contrast in the manner of liv- 
ing between the two households. 

“ Dear child,” asked Grandma Avery at last, 
looking earnestly at Ruth with her piercing 
black eyes, that yet were tender and loving, 
“ have you gained the mastery over that temper 
of yours? You are greatly improved, I see, in 
many ways ; have you gained anything in this 
respect?” 

“I hope — I think — I have,” dropping her 
eyes in confusion. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTOR Y. 


H7 


“ I am very thankful, Ruth, if you have. 
There is where I made a great mistake, that I 
did not correct you when a little girl and show 
you the sin and evil of yielding to an angry 
spirit ; I was proud of your ‘ Avery spunk,’ and 
did not think where it might lead.” 

Mrs. Avery’s face grew bright and cheerful 
during this long conversation, but when she 
attempted to rise Ruth saw how great was the 
change in her, how feeble she had grown. 

“Now you lie still, grandma dear, and let 
me get you a nice tea, as I used to when you 
were lame.” 

“But I must get up and attend to things; 
that shiftless girl — I have to watch her all the 
time.” 

“ I am here to do that now,” gently pushing 
her back on the bed, “ and you can lie quiet.” 

“ It does seem good to think there is some 
one to look after matters. How could a girl 
grow up as untidy and disorderly as that one 
is! I am thankful I did not bring you up that 
way.” 

The house showed to Ruth’s keen eyes that 
Mrs. Avery’s estimate of the girl was correct. 

“ I want to get her out of the house, Ruth, 
as soon as possible ; she can go to-night.” 

“ Not to-night, grandma ; it is too far ta her 
home. Sam can take her in the morning.” 


148 A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTOR K 

“ Well, in the morning then ; you can have 
Peggy all you want ; she has been very good 
and kind to me/’ 

It was a great change to our little maiden to 
sit down to supper with Sam — in his shirt 
sleeves and smelling of the stable — and Laura, 
the young girl, in her untidy gown. Ruth had 
little appetite for the plain fare of Laura’s poor 
cooking. The picture of the dainty table she 
had just left and of the loved faces that were 
just about that time gathering in the pleasant 
dining-room was too vivid. She choked down 
half a slice of the half-baked bread, drank a 
glass of milk, then excusing herself went out 
into the yard and climbed up into her old seat 
in the apple-tree. There, it is to be feared, she 
had a good cry ; but if she did the robins were 
too sleepy to tell ; and it must have been a short 
one, for when Sam came out of the house she 
was just descending from her perch. With a 
smiling face she asked, 

“ Sam, how is Aunt Peggy ?” 

Oh, she ’s the same old way ; kind of a 
good critter.” 

“ Does she steal in these days ?” asked Ruth 
tentatively. 

“ No, I guess not ; I hain’t heard anything 
about it lately ; guess she ’s made up her mind 
honesty ’s the best policy ; that ’s my doctrine. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


149 


She 11 be all-fired glad to see you back ; wonder 
some bird did n’t tell her you ’d come.” 

“ The birds have n’t found it out yet ; they 
are too sleepy, and I have not disturbed their 
nap,” laughed Ruth — her old gay laugh. I ’m 
glad Aunt Peggy is all right, for I may need 
her and I don’t want a thief in the house.” 

“ I tell you, Ruth, it’s good to hear you laugh 
so jolly -like. This place has been doleful with- 
out you. That girl, Laura, she giggles and gig- 
gles, but she has n’t got sense enough to laugh 
in the right spot. Her giggling does provoke 
the old lady ; aggravates her, like.” 

“ Girls have a right to giggle ; have n’t they ? 
and be gay and full of fun.” 

“ S’pose they have, but they might have 
sense enough to bring it in just the right time, 
or it ’s silly.” 

The next morning Mrs. Avery was up and 
dressed, trying to help with the breakfast, when 
Ruth came down stairs. She looked so tired 
and feeble that Ruth finally persuaded her to 
sit down in the big rocking-chair and leave the 
work to younger hands. Ruth, with her neat 
calico dress, gingham apron and deft, tidy ways, 
was a delight to Mrs. Avery’s eyes. She watched 
her quick, handy movements, as she went back 
and forth, with a real pleasure. “ It will all be 
right, now Ruth has come,” was her feeling. 


ISO A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 

Perhaps you had better keep Laura a few 
days, Ruth ; you can manage her, and get this 
house cleaned up a little and put in some decent 
kind of order. I suppose I can stand seeing her 
around a few days longer.” So it was arranged 
for Laura to stay. 

Mrs. Avery asked a short blessing at table, 
and after the meal called for the Bible and 
asked Ruth to read the ninety-first Psalm. Very 
sweet and comforting the beautiful words sound- 
ed as the young girl recited them very expres- 
sively, for she knew that Psalm by heart. “ He 
that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most 
High shall abide under the shadow of the 
Almighty.” Ruth thought of the time she heard 
Mr. Warded — dear Uncle James — read that 
chapter when its majestic beauty so impressed 
her that she went to her room and committed 
it to memory. And now its images of God’s 
love and care made her heart glad. 

After the reading Mrs. Avery said, sadly, 
“ I cannot kneel, but you all can.” Sitting in 
her chair she offered a short prayer, so sweet 
and tender that Ruth could hardly believe it 
came from the lips of the grandmother she once 
thought so harsh and cruel. It was full of grat- 
itude to God for his mercies, especially for the 
safe return of our “ dear loved child.” 

That afternoon and several others were re- 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 131 

ception days for Ruth, Mrs. Hart, the Sted- 
mans and others of her school friends coming 
out to welcome her home. Ruth was overjoyed 
to see Annie Stedman ; out in the orchard they 
held what Harry would have called the long- 
est kind of a confab.” 

But from no one did Ruth receive a warmer 
welcome than from poor old Aunt Peggy. '‘Oh, 
dear honey, child, I 's so glad to see your pretty 
face. Lemme hug and kiss you. I wos fear’d 
your granny ’d go ’fore you got back.” 

“ Why, Aunt Peggy, grandma is n’t going to 
die ; she seems so sweet and bright to-day.” 

“ Your cornin’ has heartened her up ; but she 
is mighty bad some days. The doctor, he say 
she can’t get well ; may go ’most any time.” 

Ruth dropped into a chair crying bitterly. 
“ Do n’t say that. Aunt Peggy. She can’t go 
yet ; she must stay a little longer, until I show 
her how much I love her. My poor dear grand- 
ma !” 

“Don’t cry, honey,” trying to comfort her. 
“These doctors are fool men anyhow; don’t 
know about times and seasons. God, he knows, 
and he may keep granny here many a year ; so 
cheer up, my hearty !” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 


152 


CHAPTER XXV. 

Ruth found plenty to do besides visiting her 
school-mates. The mornings were busy ones. 
Soon she and Laura had the house restored to 
its pristine neatness and order, to Mrs. Avery’s 
great satisfaction. Then Sam took the girl back 
to her home and Peggy came over almost daily 
to help with the work. 

“ Miss Ruth,” she exclaimed one day, and 
Ruth started at the respectful prefix, “ you ’s a 
lady, a born lady ; not like that Laura ; I Ve no 
use for her. You ’s learned some of Aunt Amy’s 
fine ways, so sweet and quiet-like. And you ’s 
growed powerful good ; hope you ain’t going up, 
like your granny.” 

Ruth could not but smile. “ I think not, 
Peggy ; I ’m not fit to go yet, I am sure.” 

“ When I spilt cream so keerless the other 
day, all over the pantry floor, I thought you ’d 
flare up and scold me, but you did n’t. And 
when the missus asks ‘ What ’s the matter ?’ you 
says so gentle-like, ‘ Peggy ’s had a little acci- 
dent,’ ’stead of saying ‘That good-for-nothing 
Peggy has wasted all the cream.’ Yes, you ’ve 
growed powerful good.” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 133 

Ruth laughed a little, then said very soberly, 
“ Peggy, I do hope God has given me the victory 
over some of my naughty ways.” 

“ He has, honey, sure, and so he has this poor 
nigger;” then confidentially, “I don’t steal no 
more.” 

Daily Mrs. Avery gave matters up more and 
more completely into Ruth’s hands, spending 
her time almost entirely in bed or in the easy 
chair in the sunny kitchen. But she seemed so 
sweet and gentle, so thoughtful of others, so 
tenderly affectionate toward her grandchild, that 
Ruth could not believe that life and strength 
were gradually failing. Occasionally Ruth found 
time for a stroll in her loved woods, or down by 
the purling brook, always with drawing paper 
and pencils in hand, but the most of the hours 
were spent busily at work about the house or in 
caring for her grandmother. 

Sometimes she went to her plain little room 
tired and discouraged. The work was often 
very hard and irksome after her long vacation. 
She would look with longing upon her closed 
books and with disgust at her hands, “ getting 
so hard and stiff they never can play again on 
the piano,” she thought. Then she would long 
to fly away to the beautiful nest she had left. 
But strong, helpful letters would come from 
Aunt Amy, inspiring new hope and courage, or 


IS4 A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 

rollicking ones from Harry, and the clouds would 
vanish for the time. 

It was very sweet to be told by one and an- 
other of the dear family how much she was 
missed ; yet sometimes she wished they would 
not mention it, it made her so wish to be with 
them all. Her short stay among them seemed 
now like a lovely dream that never could have 
been real, so different was it from her present 
work-day plodding life. Rebellious thoughts 
and feelings often found a place in her heart ; 
but they fled away when she looked into her 
grandmother’s face, so serene unless when in 
great pain, and noticed the satisfied, loving ex- 
pression of the bright eyes as they rested upon 
“ my Ruth.” 

“ Stay a while, child. I want to talk with you 
on some business matters,” said Mrs. Avery one 
evening, laying a detaining hand on Ruth’s arm. 

Not to-night, grandma ; it is late and you 
are tired. Go right to sleep.” 

I want to do it to-night and have it off my 
mind.” Then she told Ruth about certain pa- 
pers, where they were ; who had her will — a law- 
yer in the village — and explained some things 
about her money matters. Now remember, 
child, so if anything happens — ” “ Why, grand- 
ma,” interrupted Ruth in alarm, “the doctor 
does not think you are any worse, does he ?” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


155 

“ Perhaps not, but I want you to understand 
these things. Now get pencil and paper and 
make a little memorandum for me.” Then she 
mentioned several of her nice pieces of old- 
fashioned furniture and her brass andirons and 
candlesticks. “ I want your Aunt Amy to have 
them ; she will appreciate them and take good 
care of them.” Other keepsakes for May, Belle, 
and other friends, were added to the list. “ Now 
lay that paper away and keep it safely. I am 
glad that is done. 

“ Do not be frightened, child,” as she noticed 
Ruth’s white face ; “ it is what every one ought 
to do. We do not die any sooner for having our 
earthly business all arranged.” 

Then she talked of her early life, of her sor- 
rows and struggles, and of the battle she had 
with a relative who tried to cheat her out of the 
little property after her husband’s death. “ All 
these troubles, instead of driving me to God, 
made me hard and worldly. Yes, I have been a 
hard, worldly woman. I have been harsh and 
exacting with you ; I thought I was doing my 
duty, but now I see my mistake. Before you 
left I was cross and unreasonable ; this mortal 
sickness was creeping on ; I suspected, it and 
rebelled, until God showed me a better way. I 
want you to forgive me that I failed in love, in 
gentleness and patience with you.” 


136 A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 

Remorse and grief were tugging at Ruth’s 
heartstrings ; it was more than she could bear. 
She sank down on her knees by the bed and 
buried her face in her hands. 

“ Oh, dear grandma, do n’t talk so ; I have n’t 
given you the love you deserved ; I have been 
so impatient and so angry with you at the least 
thing, all the time you have been denying your- 
self to do for me. I am the wicked, ungrateful 
one.” 

“We have both been at fault, dear ; but I see 
now that I often provoked you to your fits of 
anger ; I did not help you as Amy did. I want 
to tell you,” fondly stroking the bowed head, 
“ while I have my faculties, just how I feel now 
and how sorry I am, so that you need not have 
any bitter thoughts of your poor old grandmo- 
ther when she is dead and gone. God has for- 
given me ; it is all right between my soul and 
him. He will forgive you and help you to be a 
better woman than I have been.” 

Ruth caught her grandmother’s thin hand, 
fondling and kissing it, and saying again, “ Dear, 
darling grandma, oh, forgive me !” 

“ I have nothing to forgive, my dear child ; 
you are a blessing and a comfort. What should 
I do now if the Lord had not given me my 
Ruth ? Now go to bed ; do not cry, but put up 
a little prayer for us both.” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VIC TOE V. 


157 


But Ruth’s prayers that evening were all for 
herself; her grandmother seemed to her then 
too good and angelic to need any human peti- 
tions. As she was leaving the room Mrs. Avery 
asked, “ Did your aunt say in her last letter that 
she was ready to come now any time we wanted 
her ?” 

'‘Yes, grandma, any time.” 

“ I think you had better write to-morrow that 
we want her very much.” 

Ruth again looked frightened. 

“ Do n’t be alarmed, child. It is hard for 
you. I do n’t intend to have you get all used 
up, as you did before, and lose all your roses. 
Then I want to see Amy; I am longing for 
her.” 

“ I will write the first thing in the morning, 
grandma,” and Ruth went to the little room 
next her grandmother’s, where she had slept the 
most of the time since her return, but her eyes 
would not close. For the first time in her life 
she realized something of the terrible meaning 
of death. She was not at home when her mother 
died. This shadow of death hanging over her 
filled her young heart with horror and dread. 
" Can it be that grandmother must die, and be 
buried in the dark ground?” she asked herself 
with a cold tremor. “She must not go now, 
when we love each other so much.” 


j 38 a little MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


With the natural buoyancy of her age and 
temperament she had thought and hoped that 
Mrs. Avery would soon begin to mend. When 
she noticed the increased feebleness it seemed 
only the infirmity of years ; she had cheered 
herself with the thought, “ She may stay with 
us yet a long time.” But now evidently her 
grandmother expected to die, perhaps very soon, 
and was making all these arrangements on that 
account. 

The only thing that could quiet her was the 
thought that Aunt Amy would come very soon. 
So at last she fell into a fitful sleep, broken by 
ghastly dreams. Several times she woke with a 
start ; the moaning of the summer wind seemed 
a dirge, and the faint light from the other room 
cast gloomy shadows. She went and stood by 
her grandmother s bed and thought death had 
come, the face was so corpse-like, and she could 
not hear the breathing. Her own heart thumped 
loudly with affright. Terrified, she was about 
to call Sam when the patient moved and she 
heard her gentle breathing. She went back to 
her own room greatly relieved. Already the 
cocks were crowing. “ It will soon be morning,” 
she thought, and with a whispered prayer she 
fell into a sound slumber, from which she did 
not awake until the sun was shining in at the 
windows. 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VIC TOE V. 


^59 


CHAPTER XXVI. 

With God’s beautiful sunshine lighting up 
the world everything looked brighter and more 
hopeful. Ruth found Mrs. Avery so cheery that 
all the fears of the previous night vanished like 
a bad dream. For the first time Mrs. Avery con- 
sented to take her breakfast in bed. “You feel 
weak this morning; you talked too much last 
night, grandmother.” 

“ I suppose I did ; but now it ’s all done and 
I will rest all day and be waited on,” with a 
happy smile. 

Ruth’s nimble feet were winged by love that 
morning as she prepared a delicious breakfast, 
and she sang softly to herself. 

“ Sing out, Ruth ; I love to hear you. Sing 
me a hymn and then I will sleep. Be sure and 
remember the letter,” as she carried out the 
tray. 

Ruth left her dozing quietly, wrote the 
promised letter, then despatched Sam to the 
office. 

“ Writ for your aunt to come ?” 

“ Yes, I have.” 

“ Is the old lady worse ?” 


i6o A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 

“ No, she ’s not worse, but she wants to see 
Aunt Amy. Do you stop your croaking, Sam, 
and don’t be telling all over the village that 
grandma’s going to die. *1 think she may get 
well, and live.” 

“ Bah ! them that knows nothing fears noth- 
ing. I guess doctors know more than chits of 
girls.” 

“ I ’m not a chit of a girl ! I ’m past fifteen ; 
shall be sixteen before long. I thought you 
did n’t think much of doctors, Sam ? But no 
matter ; you hurry off, and be sure and bring 
these dainties for grandma,” giving him a list. 

“ Some folks put on great airs,” he muttered 
as he strode off to the barn. “ Past fifteen, hey ? 
great age for wisdom ; she ’s pert, but she ’s 
smart; things do gibe along like clock-work. 
Glad her aunt’s coming, though ; there ’s trouble 
ahead.” 

“What a queer specimen he is, though,” 
laughed Ruth, as he and Dollie disappeared 
down the road. 

“ Why, Miss Ruth,” exclaimed Peggy, when 
she arrived — she never forgot the “ Miss ” in 
these days — “ your face just like sunshine to- 
day ; it do my old soul good to look at you. Is 
granny better ?” 

“ I think so, a little, and she ’s so sweet and 
good I wish she could live forever.” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. i6i 

“ She ’s just a pluming' of her wings, I 
guess.” 

“ Now, Peggy, don’t! Not to fly away, but 
to stay, I hope.” 

I hope so too, honey, but I ’s had a warn- 
ing.” 

“Nonsense, Peggy; I don’t believe in any 
such things.” 

Peggy gave her a look of pity, and said un- 
der her breath. “ Poor young things ! They’s 
always a hoping.” 

The days that followed before the arrival of 
Mrs. Warden were delightful ones for Ruth, 
made bright by the hope of Aunt Amy’s com- 
ing, and happy — oh, so happy — by doing all she 
could for the comfort of the dear grandparent. 
She felt that she could not do enough to show 
her love and gratitude. Mrs. Avery exerted 
herself to get up and sit by the window in the 
clean airy kitchen a small part of each day, her 
eyes following Ruth with loving tenderness. 
The grandmother and her child had come to a 
full and perfect understanding ; they were as 
joyful in their newly-found and acknowledged 
affection as are two young lovers. Ruth would 
pet her grandmother, stroking her cheek, kiss- 
ing her, and trying in every way possible to 
express her feelings, and the poor old withered 
heart, that so often had shut itself against human 


I 


i 62 a little MAIDEN’S VIC TOE V. 

love, opened gladly to receive and to return this 
wealth of tender devotion. 

Was it not an emblem of the life of eternal 
love to be lived in the heavenly land ; a foretaste 
of the beyond ? 

Ruth’s joy was complete when she was fold- 
ed to the motherly heart of “ dear Aunt Amy,” 
and saw that this loved one was welcomed al- 
most as gladly by Mrs. Avery as by herself. 

For two weeks after Mrs. Wardell’s coming 
life in the cottage went on very quietly and 
happily. Ruth was relieved of much of the care, 
and so could often ramble into the woods or 
take a drive to the village, always returning 
with something for grandma. Anything that 
Ruth’s loved hands brought — even to the de- 
spised “ woodsy treasures ” — was welcomed and 
enjoyed by Mrs. Avery ; she was especially in- 
terested in Ruth’s little drawings or paintings. 
The love and sympathy between the two was 
beautiful to see. 

Mrs. Warden found her mother greatly 
changed in spirit. “ The peace and rest of 
God are in this little cottage, and in dear mo- 
ther’s heart,” she wrote to her husband. Under 
Mrs. Warden’s good nursing - Mrs. Avery im- 
proved : to Ruth’s young, hopeful sight she 
seemed to be regaining health and strength, 
but Mrs. Warden’s more experienced eyes saw 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 163 

that the gain was only temporary ; with the 
intense heat of midsummer the patient grew 
weaker. 

One evening she was taken suddenly worse 
and the doctor was hastily summoned. For 
several days she suffered great agony. Poor 
Ruth was almost distracted ; but they kept her 
busy around the house while Mrs Wardell and 
other friends cared for the sick one. Then one 
day toward sunset she grew very quiet ; the pain 
left her and she sank into a sweet sleep. 

I think mother will have a comfortable 
night,” said Aunt Amy, “ and you and I, Ruth, 
will have a good rest ; for Mrs. Hart will sit up, 
and she is the best kind of a nurse.” Ruth re- 
luctantly went up to her own room and Mrs. 
Wardell went with her. “ Is the danger all 
past?” asked the excited girl. 

‘‘ The present danger is, I hope, but we can- 
not tell. God has dear mother in his keeping ; 
we must trust her in his loving hands.” 

It seemed to Ruth that she had slept but a 
few moments when Aunt Amy stood by her bed 
saying very quietly, “ Come, Ruth dear, your 
grandmother is going away, and she wants to 
say good-by.” 

She followed her aunt, like one in a dream, 
into the room, and gazed with wonder and awe 
upon her grandmother’s illumined face. Some- 


i 64 a little MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 

thing in the air, peaceful and heavenly, stilled 
her grief — as it were the hush of angels’ wings. 

Mother,” said Mrs. Warded softly, “ you 
asked for Ruth ; here she is.” She opened upon 
her grandchild eyes full of love and tenderness. 

“ Dear, dear Ruth, good-by ; come up there,” 
she whispered, pointing upwards, then said very 
distinctly, “ ‘ The Lord bless thee and keep thee,’ 
my own one,” laying Ruth’s little cold hand 
in that of Mrs. Warded. Softly Mrs. Warded 
sang, “Jesus, Lover of my soul,” but before the 
verse was ended, with a smile of ineffable joy, 
the freed spirit went home to its God. Ad was 
very still in the room, only the soft sighing of 
the wind that seemed a very voice from heaven 
to Ruth. She could not weep with that joyful 
face there on the pillow. 

“Can this be death?” she whispered, cling- 
ing to her aunt. “ I thought death was some- 
thing dreadful ; but this is a happy going to 
sleep,” and her face shone with a reflected light. 

“ ‘ There is no death,’ dear Ruth ; ‘ what seems 
so is transition,’ ” with the same look of trium- 
phant joy that so transfigured the face of the 
sleeper. “ The Saviour has come for his own, 
and now she is with the blessed.” 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 




CHAPTER XXVII. 

A WEEK had passed since Grandma Avery 
“ went home to God,” for Ruth could never 
think nor say ‘^grandma died.” “Why, Aunt 
Amy, she only closed her eyes and smiled, and 
then her spirit was in heaven. I fancied the 
room was full of angels, sent to bear her away 
to God. That is not dying ; is it ? If it is, I shall 
never be afraid to die.” 

“ Why should you be afraid, or any one of 
God's dear children ? It is only the great Father 
calling his beloved ones to himself, to dwell for 
ever with him.” 

The two were sitting in the parlor with the 
blinds thrown open to the west, for Ruth could 
not bear to stay in the pleasant kitchen where 
“ I expect to see grandma every moment.” The 
sun was just sinking below the horizon, leaving 
behind a glorified earth and sky. 

“ Her going was just like this sunset, only 
she wont come back to-morrow,” with a sigh. 

“ No, dear, but we shall go to her some day.” 

It had been a busy week, with the funeral, 
and much company in the house. There had 
been no opportunity for quiet talks and the 


j66 a little MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 

forming of any plans for the future ; indeed 
Ruth had been too excited and nervous to give 
any thought to anything but the loved grand- 
mother and her unexpected departure — for the 
young girl could not believe, until the last mo- 
ment, but that she would recover; to Ruth it 
was all very sudden. 

Ruth, you must not mourn for your grand- 
mother as you do ; it is not right, when you 
know how happy she is in her blest abode.” 

“Oh, Aunt Amy, it is not for her I mourn, 
but for myself ; if I had only loved her more and 
been kinder to her all those years. How angry 
I used to get with her, and stamp my foot at 
her, and call her all kind of names in my heart. 
If I could only take it all back I could be hap- 
py. Poor dear grandma !” 

“ But you cannot recall it, dear child. ‘ Let 
the dead past bury its dead,’ and begin anew,” 
and Mrs. Warded took the weeping girl in her 
arms, as she had so often done, soothing and 
comforting her until she grew quiet and more 
cheerful. 

“ Ruth, have you thought what you would 
like to do in the future ?” she asked at length, 
“and where you would like to live ?” 

“ I should like to be a teacher, but I do n’t 
know enough yet.” 

“You saw your grandmother put your hand 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 167 

in mine and give you to me that last night ; did 
you not?” 

“ I did not understand.” 

“ She told me, long before she left us, that 
she would like you to live with me. Do you 
think that you would like to be my daughter?” 

Ruth clasped her aunt more closely. “Oh, 
Aunt Amy, I should like that of all things ; 
but will you want me ?” 

“ I want you very much, Ruth, and shall be 
greatly disappointed if you do not come and 
be my own dear child.” 

“ Then, Aunt Amy, I certainly will come ; for 
there is no place on the face of the earth where 
I should rather live,” with a touch of her old 
brightness. 

“No need to discuss that point then, as I 
see,” laughed Mrs. Wardell, giving Ruth a lov- 
ing hug, “ and I shall claim you as my daugh- 
ter. Mother told me of her will, and of some 
other papers, and said that you understood all 
about them.” 

“Yes, she told me ;” then Ruth remembered 
the memorandum, and brought it to her aunt 
from its safe hiding-place. 

“ How lovely and thoughtful in mother to 
give me all those pretty things, the very articles 
I admire and shall prize for her sake,” said Mrs. 
Wardell, greatly touched. 


i68 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


The next day, when the will was opened and 
read, Ruth found herself the possessor of a 
snug little sum in the bank and of the cottage, 
with its small farm attached. Mrs. Avery and 
Sam had managed — or Mrs. Avery had planned 
and Sam had executed — so that nothing had 
been neglected : the land was well tilled, and 
everything about the house and farm was in 
good order. With the exception of small lega- 
cies, to Sam, Peggy, and a few friends, all was 
left to “ my dear grandchild, Ruth Avery.” 

When Ruth understood what her grand- 
mother had given her she was in a state of 
surprise and of remorse. She looked so dis- 
tressed that the lawyer remarked, “ Miss Ruth, 
you do not seem to be very happy over your 
good fortune ; you are quite an heiress, for this 
little country town.” 

“ How could she be so good and kind to me 
when I Ve been so unkind to her so many 
times !” she asked her aunt when they were 
alone. 

“ Ruth, my child, you must not condemn 
yourself that way. Think how devoted you 
have been to her these last weeks, and how 
faithful you were in her other sickness. To 
whom should she give her little all excepting 
to you, her nearest of kin and the one she loved 
best on earth? It is just as it should be. You 











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4 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VIC TOE V. i6g 

must take it and be thankful, rejoicing that you 
could do so much to make her last days happy. 
She told me, over and over, what a comfort you 
had been to her. Think of that and be glad, 
and do not think of the many failures.” 

One evening, a few days after the opening of 
the will, Sam walked into the parlor, dressed in 
his very best, and seated himself on the edge of 
a chair, twirling his hat in his hands, evidently 
greatly embarrassed. “ What is it, Sam ?” asked 
Mrs. Warden very kindly. 

“ Is it true that Ruth — Miss Ruth— is going 
to have the place ?” 

“Yes, Sam ; that is the way Mrs. Avery ar- 
ranged matters.” 

“ I just ’spected so from what the old lady 
told me long afore she went.” Then, after a 
long pause, “ Does she want to sell ?” 

“ I do not know ; we have not talked that 
over yet ; I think she will have to. Why do 
you ask ?” 

“ Because, if this place ’s on the market, I 
want to buy,” with a very important air. 

“ You buy it, Sam !” exclaimed Ruth, open- 
ing her eyes in amazement. “ You can’t live here 
all alone ; what foolishness !” 

“ I ain’t going to live alone. I ’m going to 
get married.” 

“ Married ! To whom, pray, Sam ?” 


170 A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 

“ To Lizzie Bray ; me and Lizzie made it up 
last night.” 

Lizzie Bray and you going to be married!” 
and Ruth threw up her hands in surprise. 

Why not ? She wants a home and so do I ; 
we ’re both getting along in life, we ’re no chick- 
ens. I ’ve saved some chink, and so has Lizzie, 
and she’s, very willing to have me,” getting 
more and more confused. 

Mrs. Warden came to his relief, “ Of course, 
Sam. A very good arrangement. I think mother, 
and Ruth too, would be glad to have you own 
the old homestead. With your savings and the 
little legacy from Mrs. Avery I presume you can 
pay for it in a few years. You do not object, do 
you, Ruth ?” 

“ Why, no ; of course not.” 

Lizzie ’s neat as wax, a real worker, and if 
you and Miss Ruth want to come here summers 
the latch-string’s out. Don’t you think. Mis’ 
Warden, it ’s a good thing for me and Lizzie to 
settle down ?” 

“Yes, Sam, a very good thing; I for one 
shall be glad to see the place in your hands.” 

In a few days the bargain was completed 
and Sam owned the place, to his great delight ; 
a “ land owner ” for the first time in his life. A 
very self-satisfied, self-important one he was. 
“You see,” he confided to Mrs. Wardell, “I 


A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 


171 

did n’t want them fields I ’d worked all these 
years going into strange hands. Me and the 
old lady’s had a hard time keeping them just 
right, and I did n’t want to see all that toil just 
thrown away. When she died I lost a good 
friend, I knew. Then I had no home, so I 
thought, I ’ll make one of my own,” rubbing 
his hands in satisfaction, “ and Lizzie — well, she 
thought she ’d go halves.” 

“ I am glad for you, Sam.” 

At last the old home was dismantled, with 
the exception of the things that Sam had bought 
or that had been given him for his new house- 
keeping. The boxes and trunks were all packed 
and mostly forwarded, and on the morrow Mrs. 

Warden and Ruth were to start for R . It 

had taken several weeks to arrange everything 
and now Mrs. Warded began to be in haste to 
get back to her family. Ruth’s plain little 
chamber had been left undisturbed, “so that 
you can come back next summer if you like,” 
suggested Aunt Amy, seeing how hard it was 
going to be for Ruth to give up the old home 
entirely. 

She had spent the morning bidding adieu 
to the schoolmates and friends of her child- 
hood — finding it very hard to part with sweet 
Annie Stedman — and in the afternoon she and 
her aunt passed several delightful hours in her 


172 A LITTLE MAIDEN'S VICTORY. 

beloved woods. The birds, the flowers, the 
brook, received a farewell, for they were like 
dear companions to the imaginative girl. “ But 
I shall not need them so much any more, for I 
shall always have you,” looking up with love-lit 
eyes into her aunt ’s face. 

After tea — a picnic tea — Sam came in, again 
dressed in his best, to inform them, “ I ’m a- 
going over to Lizzie ’s to get married this even- 
ing,” with an air of great dignity. 

“You are? and not invite us to the wed- 
ding?” exclaimed Ruth. 

“ Well, you see, we thought we ’d just stand 
up — me and Lizzie — and be spliced without any- 
body but her folks and the minister ; no fuss, 
you see ; thought that ’d be the best way,” get- 
ting confused. 

“ And may your married life be a very happy 
one, Sam,” said Mrs. Wardell, to which Ruth 
added a hearty “ Amen !” 

Sam smiled all over his face. “ I guess it 
will be ; anyway, we thought we ’d have the job 
done before you left, so we could move right in 
to-morrow.” 

As the twilight deepened the moon shone out 
on the two seated on the little porch. Nothing 
but the occasional twitter of a bird disturbed 
the country stillness. Ruth grew very sober. 

“ Aunt Amy, I shall always love to remember 


A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY. 


N3 


these last weeks here with grandma; oh how 
sweet they were !” 

“They were beautiful; I am glad for you 
that you have them to recall.” 

“Will you ever be sorry, Aunt Amy, that 
you took me, I wonder.” 

“No, my dear, never.” 

“ I ’m glad to go, it ’s so lonesome here with- 
out grandma ; I hope I shall never give you a 
heartache. I can come every year — can’t I ? — 
and see that her grave is all in order. Dear 
grandma !” 

“ It might be pleasant for us all to come 
sometime and wSpend a few weeks.” 

“ That would be very pleasant.” Then again 
Ruth was silent. 

“ There is one thing that I want to tell you, 
Ruth, before we leave the old home. When I 
first came, before mother was so weak and feeble, 
she said to me : ‘ Ruth I find is greatly changed ; 
I think that the dear Lord has given her the 
victory over her fiery temper.’ ” 

“ Did grandma say that ? I am glad you told 
me.” 

Only a little maiden’s victory, but it was 
chronicled in heaven by the Recording Angel. 

In the coolness and freshness of the early 
morning Aunt Amy and her niece — or daugh- 
ter — started on their journey. “ Take good care 


174 A LITTLE MAIDEN’S VICTORY, 

of Dollie,” was one of Ruth’s parting injunctions 
to Sam ; “ she is never to be sold.” With old 
Aunt Peggy, her eyes streaming, to wave them 
a farewell, and Sam and Dollie to take them to 
the station, Ruth Avery left the home of her 
childish years, to begin a new and happier life, 
replete with usefulness and joy. 


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